tACS for Working Memory in Schizophrenia

NCT07701343 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-07-14

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study is a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial enrolling 30 schizophrenia patients, each receiving one active and one sham tACS session (7-day washout), targeting P3/P4 at individual alpha frequency (2mA, 30min) during a working memory task, with accuracy and reaction time as primary outcomes, alongside EEG and neurophysiological measures, to test the efficacy and mechanisms of individualized alpha-tACS on working memory.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

transcranial alternating current stimulation

For montage 1, active electrode at P3 (10-10 system), return electrodes at P1, P5, PO3, CP3. For montage 2, active electrode at P4, return electrodes at P2, P6, PO4, CP4. Conductive paste ensures impedance \<10 kΩ. Individual alpha frequency is used, calculated before each session from mean EEG at P3/P4 during SIRP task. Stimulation intensity is 2 mA (peak-to-zero) via electric field modeling. Stimulation is delivered during SIRP task, 30 min total per session (including 15s ramp-up/down), with continuous sine wave output.

DEVICE

sham stimulation

Sham stimulation provides only a 15-second ramp-up and ramp-down current at the beginning and end of each session to mimic the initial tingling or itching sensation on the scalp produced by real stimulation, but delivers no effective stimulation current during the main phase of the task period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Central South University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-06
Primary Completion
2026-10-31
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07701343 on ClinicalTrials.gov