Trial Outcomes & Findings for Improving Hallucinations by Targeting the rSTS With tES (NCT NCT05165654)

NCT ID: NCT05165654

Last Updated: 2025-09-17

Results Overview

Measuring total psychosis symptoms score (Total score minimum = 30, maximum = 210); General symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); Negative Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); and Positive Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

12 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Change from baseline to day 5

Results posted on

2025-09-17

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited through patient conversations and advertisements.

Individuals performed a full clinical assessment including a structured clinical interview and medical history review to confirm diagnosis. Individuals were required to have a history or current hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.) to participate in the study. Participants were then randomized to one of the two arms of the study (active tDCS or sham) targeting the right superior temporal sulcus.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Overall Study
STARTED
6
6
Overall Study
Baseline
6
6
Overall Study
Day 5
6
6
Overall Study
1 Month
5
6
Overall Study
COMPLETED
6
6
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Improving Hallucinations by Targeting the rSTS With tES

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Total
n=12 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
36.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.3 • n=99 Participants
37.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.8 • n=107 Participants
37.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5 • n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
n=99 Participants
3 Participants
n=107 Participants
6 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants
n=99 Participants
3 Participants
n=107 Participants
6 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
1 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants
n=99 Participants
6 Participants
n=107 Participants
11 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 participants
n=99 Participants
6 participants
n=107 Participants
12 participants
n=206 Participants
Prior/Current Hallucinations
6 Participants
n=99 Participants
6 Participants
n=107 Participants
12 Participants
n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Measuring total psychosis symptoms score (Total score minimum = 30, maximum = 210); General symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); Negative Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); and Positive Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Baseline
60.5 score on a scale
Interval 47.75 to 77.0
60 score on a scale
Interval 53.75 to 69.25
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Day 5
56 score on a scale
Interval 44.25 to 75.25
63 score on a scale
Interval 59.0 to 70.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation on 1 Month data

Measuring total psychosis symptoms score (Total score minimum = 30, maximum = 210); General symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); Negative Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); and Positive Symptoms (minimum score = 16, maximum score = 112); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Baseline
60.5 score on a scale
Interval 47.75 to 77.0
60 score on a scale
Interval 53.75 to 69.25
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
1 Month
58.5 score on a scale
Interval 47.0 to 67.75
70.5 score on a scale
Interval 60.25 to 83.75

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Population: Total quantitative score reported (min = 0; max = 14)

Measuring severity and duration of hallucinations; 20-item questionnaire to be used as a screening instrument to assess hallucinations (6 quantitative and 14 qualitative items); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms. Total quantitative score (min = 0; max = 14).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
University of Miami Parkinson's Disease Hallucinations Questionnaire (UM-PDHQ)
Baseline
1.85 score on a scale
Interval 1.725 to 2.025
1.9 score on a scale
Interval 1.85 to 2.0125
University of Miami Parkinson's Disease Hallucinations Questionnaire (UM-PDHQ)
Day 5
1.3 score on a scale
Interval 1.25 to 1.35
2 score on a scale
Interval 1.8 to 2.2

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: Total quantitative score reported (min = 0; max = 14)

Measuring severity and duration of hallucinations; 20-item questionnaire to be used as a screening instrument to assess hallucinations (6 quantitative and 14 qualitative items); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms. Total quantitative score (min = 0; max = 14).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
University of Miami Parkinson's Disease Hallucinations Questionnaire (UM-PDHQ)
Baseline
1.85 score on a scale
Interval 1.725 to 2.025
1.9 score on a scale
Interval 1.85 to 2.0125
University of Miami Parkinson's Disease Hallucinations Questionnaire (UM-PDHQ)
1 Month
1.4 score on a scale
Interval 1.05 to 1.6875
2.35 score on a scale
Interval 2.05 to 2.4

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Population: Total score reported (0-41).

Measuring severity and duration of hallucinations; severity for each item is rated on a 7-point scale; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms. Total score (0-41).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
7-item Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS)
Baseline
0 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 0.0
8 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 19.75
7-item Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS)
Day 5
0 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 0.0
6 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 22.5

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: Total score reported (0-41)

Measuring severity and duration of hallucinations; severity for each item is rated on a 7-point scale; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms. Total score (0-41).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
7-item Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS)
Baseline
0 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 0.0
8 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 19.75
7-item Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS)
1 Month
0 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 0.0
6 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 23.25

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular auditory frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Auditory Steady State Evoked Potential
Baseline
0.369044853 decibels
Interval 0.091708253 to 0.624277228
0.434681797 decibels
Interval 0.16328823 to 0.643059721
Auditory Steady State Evoked Potential
Day
0.259385513 decibels
Interval 0.190658708 to 0.314372544
0.257550439 decibels
Interval -0.046862077 to 0.352363789

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular auditory frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Auditory Steady State Evoked Potential
Baseline
0.369044853 decibels
Interval 0.091708253 to 0.624277228
0.434681797 decibels
Interval 0.16328823 to 0.643059721
Auditory Steady State Evoked Potential
1 Month
0.307252913 decibels
Interval 0.241709825 to 0.677070695
0.221649958 decibels
Interval -0.021732331 to 0.406676752

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular visual frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Steady State Visual Evoked Potential
Baseline
-0.62131125 decibels
Interval -0.726391384 to -0.074934424
-0.046333327 decibels
Interval -0.103732736 to 0.052670088
Steady State Visual Evoked Potential
Day 5
-0.101487523 decibels
Interval -0.548558447 to 0.099856615
-0.061733608 decibels
Interval -0.291644849 to 0.143966164

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular visual frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Steady State Visual Evoked Potential
Baseline
-0.62131125 decibels
Interval -0.726391384 to -0.074934424
-0.046333327 decibels
Interval -0.103732736 to 0.052670088
Steady State Visual Evoked Potential
1 Month
0.276320034 decibels
Interval 0.09372428 to 0.34434154
-0.342125912 decibels
Interval -0.525993493 to -0.203782791

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular visual/auditory frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Cross Modal Steady State Evoked Potential
Baseline
-0.129873057 decibels
Interval -0.351085988 to -0.039036888
-0.225582699 decibels
Interval -0.369160721 to -0.084290267
Cross Modal Steady State Evoked Potential
Day 5
-0.227227968 decibels
Interval -0.314087578 to -0.209605677
-0.309958523 decibels
Interval -0.479995017 to -0.140836317

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 1 individual in the active TDCS group had unusable data due to poor data quality.

Raw data was cleaned for artifacts (excessive noise) and segmented in cleaned epochs based on stimulus onset. Post preprocessing stages, the signal reported was derived from using a time-frequency transformation and analysis, which is conceptualized as oscillatory power in decibels (10\*log10) at a particular visual/auditory frequency of interest.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=5 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Cross Modal Steady State Evoked Potential
Baseline
-0.129873057 decibels
Interval -0.351085988 to -0.039036888
-0.225582699 decibels
Interval -0.369160721 to -0.084290267
Cross Modal Steady State Evoked Potential
1 Month
-0.372064254 decibels
Interval -0.395091449 to -0.264603929
-0.370288832 decibels
Interval -0.480430263 to -0.146267599

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Measuring neural activity at rest consisting of 5 minutes of eyes-open resting-state EEG (rsEEG) was recorded. Fast Fourier transformations were conducted on data, resulting in 4 frequency bands: delta/theta, alpha, beta, and gamma.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Resting State EEG
Baseline Delta/Theta Range (1-8hz)
-6.067479336 microvolts
Interval -8.358364857 to -5.444418054
-9.836502863 microvolts
Interval -10.87640284 to -6.060701682
Resting State EEG
Day 5 Delta/Theta Range (1-8hz)
-6.538377742 microvolts
Interval -8.949555683 to -5.160262915
-8.837371992 microvolts
Interval -11.64394669 to -7.549197399
Resting State EEG
Baseline Alpha (8-12hz)
-7.920960953 microvolts
Interval -10.83320875 to -7.295414497
-11.66579035 microvolts
Interval -13.69578824 to -7.820418988
Resting State EEG
Day 5 Alpha (8-12hz)
-7.433306198 microvolts
Interval -10.21438969 to -7.043908117
-10.07675116 microvolts
Interval -13.61574437 to -7.162213165
Resting State EEG
Baseline Beta (13-30hz)
-15.99107017 microvolts
Interval -16.44864468 to -15.41891723
-17.88706322 microvolts
Interval -18.60085714 to -16.64276514
Resting State EEG
Day 5 Beta (13-30hz)
-15.97882887 microvolts
Interval -16.30148928 to -15.67218914
-17.45169236 microvolts
Interval -17.80617123 to -15.82596502
Resting State EEG
Baseline Gamma (30-55hz)
-22.64365385 microvolts
Interval -23.36454231 to -21.38378251
-22.02556837 microvolts
Interval -24.09400191 to -20.51039388
Resting State EEG
Day 5 Gamma (30-55hz)
-23.79503055 microvolts
Interval -24.38033537 to -20.99613743
-22.638985 microvolts
Interval -23.25493645 to -21.12844812

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation of 1 Month data

Measuring neural activity at rest consisting of 5 minutes of eyes-open resting-state EEG (rsEEG) was recorded. Fast Fourier transformations were conducted on data, resulting in 4 frequency bands: delta/theta, alpha, beta, and gamma.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Resting State EEG
Baseline Gamma (30-55hz)
-22.64365385 microvolts
Interval -23.36454231 to -21.38378251
-22.02556837 microvolts
Interval -24.09400191 to -20.51039388
Resting State EEG
1 Month Gamma (30-55hz)
-23.89591029 microvolts
Interval -24.94829518 to -22.12361733
-22.95515728 microvolts
Interval -24.30097235 to -22.21405322
Resting State EEG
Baseline Delta/Theta Range (1-8hz)
-6.067479336 microvolts
Interval -8.358364857 to -5.444418054
-9.836502863 microvolts
Interval -10.87640284 to -6.060701682
Resting State EEG
1 Month Delta/Theta Range (1-8hz)
-5.891239776 microvolts
Interval -7.30798828 to -4.582039071
-8.925939219 microvolts
Interval -10.09990467 to -7.862654867
Resting State EEG
Baseline Alpha (8-12hz)
-7.920960953 microvolts
Interval -10.83320875 to -7.295414497
-11.66579035 microvolts
Interval -13.69578824 to -7.820418988
Resting State EEG
1 Month Alpha (8-12hz)
-9.390036281 microvolts
Interval -10.94620211 to -8.24923518
-7.367402407 microvolts
Interval -9.002447243 to -7.084971382
Resting State EEG
Baseline Beta (12-30hz)
-15.99107017 microvolts
Interval -16.44864468 to -15.41891723
-17.88706322 microvolts
Interval -18.60085714 to -16.64276514
Resting State EEG
1 Month Beta (13-30hz)
-16.0281252 microvolts
Interval -17.60044849 to -15.79720705
-16.27626797 microvolts
Interval -18.23084259 to -15.95296812

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Measuring the percent correct of detected motion by presenting a simulated walker; difficulty is increased by the level of random noise around stimuli. 20 trials are presented. Higher scores (0-100%) indicate a better ability to detect motion.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Biological Motion
Baseline
87.5 percentage correct
Interval 76.25 to 98.75
85 percentage correct
Interval 61.25 to 93.75
Biological Motion
Day 5
95 percentage correct
Interval 87.5 to 98.75
72.5 percentage correct
Interval 51.25 to 93.75

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation of 1 Month data

Measuring the percent correct of detected motion by presenting a simulated walker; difficulty is increased by the level of random noise around stimuli. 20 trials are presented. Higher scores (0-100%) indicate a better ability to detect motion.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Biological Motion
Baseline
87.5 percentage correct
Interval 76.25 to 98.75
85 percentage correct
Interval 61.25 to 93.75
Biological Motion
1 Month
95 percentage correct
Interval 87.5 to 95.0
85 percentage correct
Interval 67.5 to 95.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Population: Data was unable to be obtained for due to the a technique problem in code for the task that resulted in incorrectly quantifying outcomes.

Measuring the percent correct of auditory and visual integration; auditory stimuli partners are matched to visual stimuli; difficulty is increased with more complex patterns

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: Data was unable to be obtained for due to the a technique problem in code for the task that resulted in incorrectly quantifying outcomes.

Measuring the percent correct of auditory and visual integration; auditory stimuli partners are matched to visual stimuli; difficulty is increased with more complex patterns

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 5

Measuring global functioning; severity of symptoms related to day-to-day life on a scale of 0 to 100; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Global Assessment of Function (GAF)
Baseline
60.5 score on a scale
Interval 53.25 to 64.0
57.5 score on a scale
Interval 43.75 to 60.0
Global Assessment of Function (GAF)
Day 5
60.5 score on a scale
Interval 52.5 to 67.75
53 score on a scale
Interval 42.75 to 58.75

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation on 1 Month data

Measuring global functioning; severity of symptoms related to day-to-day life on a scale of 0 to 100; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Global Assessment of Function (GAF)
Baseline
60.5 score on a scale
Interval 53.25 to 64.0
57.5 score on a scale
Interval 43.75 to 60.0
Global Assessment of Function (GAF)
1 Month
61.5 score on a scale
Interval 56.25 to 68.25
54 score on a scale
Interval 51.5 to 59.5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Measuring total depression scores; 10 item scale related to depressive episodes (total score 0-60); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Baseline
7 score on a scale
Interval 3.5 to 16.5
7.5 score on a scale
Interval 4.75 to 10.25
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Day 5
6 score on a scale
Interval 2.5 to 18.5
13.5 score on a scale
Interval 5.5 to 20.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation on 1 Month data

Measuring total depression scores; 10 item scale related to depressive episodes (total score 0-60); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Baseline
7 score on a scale
Interval 3.5 to 16.5
7.5 score on a scale
Interval 4.75 to 10.25
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
1 Month
5.5 score on a scale
Interval 4.25 to 19.5
13 score on a scale
Interval 10.5 to 15.5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Measuring total Mania scores; 11 items used to access severity of mania (total score 0-60); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Baseline
2.25 score on a scale
Interval 0.625 to 14.0
7 score on a scale
Interval 3.625 to 11.875
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Day 5
1.25 score on a scale
Interval 0.125 to 11.375
14 score on a scale
Interval 6.375 to 14.875

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice" R package used for multiple imputation on 1 Month data

Measuring total Mania scores; 11 items used to access severity of mania (total score 0-60); higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Baseline
2.25 score on a scale
Interval 0.625 to 14.0
7 score on a scale
Interval 3.625 to 11.875
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
1 Month
2 score on a scale
Interval 1.25 to 10.25
8.75 score on a scale
Interval 5.25 to 14.875

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Population: BACS total score reported. Summed from all subcategories of cognition (memory, working memory, processing speed, executive function and verbal fluency scores). Scores transformed into Z scores based off standardized transformations provided by the test makers. 0 represents the population mean for healthy controls. Standard deviations above the mean represent better cognitive ability.

Measuring cognition; cognitive domains assessed include memory, working memory, processing speed, executive functions and verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate greater cognitive ability on a given task.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Brief Assessment of Cognition (BACS)
Baseline
0.58 z score on test
Interval -0.7075 to 1.005
-0.8 z score on test
Interval -1.5325 to -0.4275
Brief Assessment of Cognition (BACS)
Day 5
-0.15 z score on test
Interval -1.355 to 0.5375
-1.065 z score on test
Interval -1.7775 to -0.5475

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice" R package used for multiple imputation on 1 Month data; BACS total score reported. BACS total score reported. Summed from all subcategories of cognition (memory, working memory, processing speed, executive function and verbal fluency scores). Scores transformed into Z scores based off standardized transformations provided by the test makers. 0 represents the population mean for healthy controls. Standard deviations above the mean represent better cognitive ability.

Measuring cognition; cognitive domains assessed include memory, working memory, processing speed, executive functions and verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate greater cognitive ability on a given task.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Brief Assessment of Cognition (BACS)
Baseline
0.58 z score on test
Interval -0.7075 to 1.005
-0.8 z score on test
Interval -1.5325 to -0.4275
Brief Assessment of Cognition (BACS)
1 Month
-0.07 z score on test
Interval -0.5775 to 0.7525
-1.425 z score on test
Interval -1.825 to -0.8225

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to 5 day

Population: Total score assesses psychological distress through 90 items reported. Total score reported, range 0 to 360.

Measuring total psychiatric symptoms; 90 symptoms and evaluates nine symptomatic dimensions; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms. Total score range 0 to 360

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Symptom Checklist-90
Baseline
56.5 score on a scale
Interval 21.75 to 119.75
81.5 score on a scale
Interval 56.5 to 95.25
Symptom Checklist-90
Day 5
33 score on a scale
Interval 9.25 to 56.0
84.5 score on a scale
Interval 69.25 to 95.25

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Change from baseline to month follow-up

Population: 'Mice' R package used for multiple imputation on missing data. Total score assesses psychological distress through 90 items reported. Total score reported, range 0 to 360.

Measuring total psychiatric symptoms; 90 symptoms and evaluates nine symptomatic dimensions; higher scores represent higher severity of symptoms.Total score range 0 to 360.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 Participants
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 Participants
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Symptom Checklist-90
Baseline
56.5 score on a scale
Interval 21.75 to 119.75
81.5 score on a scale
Interval 56.5 to 95.25
Symptom Checklist-90
1 Month
42 score on a scale
Interval 16.5 to 102.0
95.5 score on a scale
Interval 79.5 to 124.25

Adverse Events

Active Stimulation With TDCS

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

SHAM Stimulation

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Active Stimulation With TDCS
n=6 participants at risk
tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
SHAM Stimulation
n=6 participants at risk
Passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions). Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Transcranial electrical stimulation
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus
0.00%
0/6 • Up to 1 month period after study participation
16.7%
1/6 • Number of events 1 • Up to 1 month period after study participation
Nervous system disorders
Lightheadness
0.00%
0/6 • Up to 1 month period after study participation
16.7%
1/6 • Number of events 1 • Up to 1 month period after study participation

Additional Information

Dr. Paulo Lizano

BIDMC

Phone: 202-776-6708

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place