tACS for Working Memory in Schizophrenia

Sponsor
Central South University
Study ID
NCT07701343
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 50 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • transcranial alternating current stimulation — DEVICE
    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.
  • sham stimulation — DEVICE
    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.

Study Details

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.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 14, 2026
Start date
Jul 6, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Oct 31, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Sham Comparator: sham group
    sham stimulation
  • Experimental: active group
    transcranial alternating current stimulation

Primary Outcome Measure

Working Memory Accuracy [ Time Frame: Day 1 (baseline, prior to first intervention); within 15 minutes after Session 1; Day 9 (prior to second intervention, after 7-day washout); within 15 minutes after Session 2. ]

Central Contacts

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