Exploring the Efficacy of Accelerated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as Adjunct to Pharmacotherapy in the Treatment of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
high-definition transcranial direct current stimulationSham tDCS
high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation: The tDCS device will deliver a direct current of 2mA during 20 minutes. Cathode electrode will be localized in front of the right OFC on the Fp2 point according to the EEG international reference. Four anode electrodes will be placed around FP2 (i.e. Fpz, AFz, AF4, AF8)
Sham tDCS: To demonstrate the same stimulation sensation as under real conditions, only 40 seconds of real stimulation (2mA) are given at the beginning of the treatment. In the remaining 20 minutes, only about 15ms of short current pulses of 110uA occur every 550ms.
Study summary
This study will evaluate the decision-making ability and therapeutic effects of accelerated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as adjunct to pharmacotherapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients, and the underlying neural mechanism by EEG and MRI.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age 18-60 years old, Han ethnicity, right-handed
2. DSM-5 criteria for OCD;
3. Y-BOCS total score ≥16, receiving stable medication for at least 4 weeks before tDCS stimulation.
4. Years of education ≥9.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Any axis I psychiatric disorder comorbidity
2. Severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms that render the patient unable to complete required assessment procedures.
3. Previous treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
4. Severe somatic diseases or any physical conditions that may induce epilepsy or intracranial hypertension, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, etc.
5. History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents) or traumatic brain injury/brain surgery.
6. Implantation of intracranial stents, cardiac pacemakers, coronary stents, cochlear implants, or other internal medical devices.
7. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future.
8. Serious suicide risks.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Symptom improvement assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS) — Up to 5 weeks The responder on Y-BOCS is defined as a Y-BOCS decrease at least 35% from the baseline at post-treatment.
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai
China
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This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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