NCT05311982

Brief Summary

To understand the changes in the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) brain networks of children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), we asked two questions. First: how can tDCS modulate the expression of neural network dynamics? Second: how can tDCS modulate functional connections at specific frequencies? We hypothesized that the tDCS mechanism results in increased cortical frequencies in the areas under the anode, which may reflect an increase in synaptic connectivity, and that this tDCS-related increase changes connection profiles at specific frequencies important for ASD, indicating improvement in symptoms. To verify this improvement, the researchers used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) after an intervention, comparing baseline scores with post-treatment scores.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
12

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2021

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2021

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 30, 2021

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 30, 2021

Completed
6 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 16, 2022

Completed
20 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 5, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

April 5, 2022

Status Verified

March 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

5 months

First QC Date

March 16, 2022

Last Update Submit

March 28, 2022

Conditions

Keywords

AutismTdcsEEG

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • to compare the effectiveness of Neuromodulation techniques - transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - in the treatment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    EEG and TDCS

    7 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Check the effects of tDCS modulations on cognitive responses through Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist

    7 weeks

Study Arms (3)

DLPFC-L F3 (Block A)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The study was developed through a triple-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (dummy tDCS). Participants were randomized into three groups receiving unilateral tDCS in DLPFC-L F3 (Block A)

Device: DLPFC-R (F4) TDCSDevice: DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) TDCSDevice: sham-tDCS

tDCS combined in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The study was developed through a triple-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (dummy tDCS). Participants were randomized into three groups receiving unilateral tDCS in tDCS combined in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4)

Device: DLPFC-R (F4) TDCSDevice: DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) TDCSDevice: sham-tDCS

Sham (Block C)

NO INTERVENTION

The study was developed through a triple-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (dummy tDCS). Participants were randomized into three groups receiving unilateral tDCS in tDCS Sham

Interventions

direct current brain stimulation- The study was developed through a triple-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (dummy tDCS). Participants were randomized into three groups receiving unilateral tDCS in DLPFC-L F3 (Block A), combined tDCS in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) simultaneously (Block B) or sham-tDCS (Block C) with equal electrode configuration guaranteed blindness. After the procedures, each participant received the following intervention in the order ABC, BCA or CAB with a period of 1 week between each one. Each block took 3 weeks, organized into: 1) Assessment; 2) Application of stimulation; 3) Reassessment and washout week. Adding 1 more week of final evaluation, the study totaled the period of 10 weeks. During this period, patients were instructed to continue their behavioral/educational treatment and medication routines.

DLPFC-L F3 (Block A)tDCS combined in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4)

DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) (Bock B)

Also known as: nibs
DLPFC-L F3 (Block A)tDCS combined in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4)
sham-tDCSDEVICE

sham-tDCS (Block C) with equal electrode configuration guaranteed blindness

Also known as: NIBS
DLPFC-L F3 (Block A)tDCS combined in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4)

Eligibility Criteria

Age5 Years - 18 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Patients with ASD reported by a Neuropediatrician; Age group between 5 and 18 years; Mild and moderate clinical symptoms

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with severe mental illness; Use of a pacemaker or other metal device on the body; Brain tumor or intracranial infection; Uncooperative parents or caregivers; Epilepsy; structural change in the skull

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Suellen Marinho Andrade

João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58.051-900, Brazil

Location

Federal University of Paraíba,Department of Psychology

João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58051-900, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Child Development Disorders, PervasiveAutistic Disorder

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurodevelopmental DisordersMental DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological Techniques

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 16, 2022

First Posted

April 5, 2022

Study Start

March 1, 2021

Primary Completion

July 30, 2021

Study Completion

September 30, 2021

Last Updated

April 5, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-03

Locations