The Effect of Combined Brain Stimulation and Yoga for Improving Cognitive Function in Psychosis

NCT07747181 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 25124024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 135
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study examines (1) the effects of active anodal (facilitatory) tDCS and yoga combined intervention on cognitive function, clinical symptoms, and quality of life domains (social function and physical wellbeing) in psychosis, and (2) the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the effects induced by the combined intervention.

Conditions

Cognitive Functioning; Psychosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Verbal Fluency Test

  A measure of executive function. Participants have to name as many animals as possible in 60 seconds. Higher scores indicate better executive functioning.

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

Secondary Outcomes (17)

• Logical Memory test

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

• Digit Span Test

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

• Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

• Calgary Depression Scale

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

• Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS)

  Baseline (T0), after the 6-week interventions/waiting (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2)

Study Arms (3)

Active tDCS and yoga

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Device: Active tDCS; Behavioral: Yoga

Sham tDCS and yoga

SHAM COMPARATOR

Device: Sham tDCS; Behavioral: Yoga

Waitlist control group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Active tDCS DEVICE

Active tDCS will be applied using a wearable stimulator (LifTid) with a constant stimulation intensity of 1.2 mA for 20 minutes. The device has been designed for anodal stimulation targeting DLPFC using the F3 (anode) to F4 (cathode) montage.

Active tDCS and yoga

Sham tDCS DEVICE

Sham tDCS will be performed using the same device but without stimulation. During the yoga training, all participants will wear the device and a facilitator will turn on the stimulation for participants receiving a-tDCS-Y intervention, and pretend to turn on the stimulation for participants receiving s-tDCS-Y intervention after the first 10-minute section.

Sham tDCS and yoga

Yoga BEHAVIORAL

Yoga will be based on the basic theory and research of the foundation of Hatha yoga. Participants will cultivate the learning of yoga through various kinds of activity, such as breathing control, body postures, and relaxation. The yoga is designed to create an overall effect on the body and mind through strength training and stretching with a mindful sensation. Each 1-hour intervention session contains reviewing the last week self-practice, breathing practice and warm-up (10 minutes), posture sequences (40 minutes), relaxation (5 minutes), reflection and feedback (5 minutes). Video clips will be provided through social media apps (i.e., WhatsApp, WeChat) to enable home-based practice at least twice weekly. A logbook will be distributed to the participants for their record of self-practice and will be reviewed weekly by the intervention facilitator.

Active tDCS and yoga; Sham tDCS and yoga

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• (1) aged 18 to 65 years
• (2) diagnosis based on SCID for schizophrenia and related disorders, psychosis, and delusional disorder with the positive symptom measured by CGI ≤ 3
• (3) ability to understand the nature of the study and to give informed consent (The MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research score ≥ 35)
• (4) Chinese-speaking
• (5) fewer than 10 hours of yoga and other mind-body intervention (e.g., Tai Chi, Qigong, Mindfulness) in the previous 3 months.

You may not qualify if:

• (1) Severe physical diseases, such as myocardial infarction, uncontrollable severe hypertension, fracture, severe spinal problems, or contraindication for exercise
• (2) comorbid substance dependence and seizure disorders
• (3) pregnancy or other contraindication to fNIRS
• (4) known history of intellectual disability or special school attendance, brain trauma, or organic brain disease
• (5) Individuals taking Benzodiazepine will still be recruited in the project, and will be excluded from the fNIRS measure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychotic Disorders

Interventions

Yoga

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 30, 2026
• First Posted: August 5, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2028
• Last Updated: August 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)