Effects of tDCS on Fear Reversal in Patients With Anxiety Disorders
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intervention on Fear Reversal in Patients With Anxiety Disorders
1 other identifier
interventional
140
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study evaluates the effects of single-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on fear reversal learning in patients with anxiety disorders. Participants will be randomized into four groups to receive either active stimulation targeting specific brain regions (right DLPFC or vmPFC), an active control stimulation, or sham stimulation. The main goal is to determine if modulating these brain areas can improve the ability to update safety and threat associations.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Dec 2025
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
December 1, 2025
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
February 5, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
February 12, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 1, 2028
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 1, 2028
February 12, 2026
February 1, 2026
3 years
February 5, 2026
February 5, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Mean Accuracy Rate in the Reversal Phase of the Fear Reversal Task
The percentage of correct responses during the reversal phase of the computerized task, where participants must inhibit previous fear associations and learn new safety signals. Higher scores indicate better cognitive flexibility.
During the intervention (Day 1, approximately 25 minutes)
Secondary Outcomes (3)
Reaction Time in the Reversal Phase
During the intervention (Day 1, approximately 25 minutes)
Skin Conductance Response (SCR) Amplitude
During the intervention (Day 1, approximately 25 minutes)
Subjective Anxiety Score (VAS)
During the intervention (Day 1, assessed intermittently during the 25-minute task)
Study Arms (4)
Active Comparator: Cathodal rDLPFC
EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive inhibitory stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Active Comparator: Anodal vmPFC
EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive excitatory stimulation over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS
SHAM COMPARATORParticipants receive a pseudo-stimulation that mimics the sensation of real tDCS but delivers no therapeutic current.
Active Comparator: Anodal lDLPFC
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants receive excitatory stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (positive control).
Interventions
Current intensity: 2.0 mA. Duration: 25 minutes. Cathode placed over F4 (10-20 system), Anode over contralateral deltoid.
Current intensity: 2.0 mA. Duration: 25 minutes. Anode placed over Fpz (10-20 system), Cathode over Oz.
Current ramps up for 30 seconds and then fades to zero to mimic skin sensation, with no sustained current for the rest of the 25 minutes.
Current intensity: 2.0 mA. Duration: 25 minutes. Anode placed over F3 (10-20 system), Cathode over contralateral deltoid.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age between 18 and 60 years old. Right-handed. Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD). South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score ≥ 5. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. Willingness to provide written informed consent and participate in the study.
You may not qualify if:
- History of other severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression) or neurological diseases (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, brain tumor).
- History of substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine) in the past 6 months.
- Current use of psychotropic medications that may affect cortical excitability (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants).
- Presence of metallic implants in the head or neck area (e.g., cochlear implants, aneurysm clips) or cardiac pacemakers.
- Skin lesions or sensitivity at the stimulation sites on the scalp. Pregnancy or lactation. Participation in other neuromodulation studies within the last 3 months.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Jingchu Hulead
Study Sites (1)
Shenzhen Kangning Hospital
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- TRIPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Dr. Jingchu Hu
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
February 5, 2026
First Posted
February 12, 2026
Study Start
December 1, 2025
Primary Completion (Estimated)
December 1, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
December 1, 2028
Last Updated
February 12, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-02
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share