Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Insomnia: An Open-Label Pilot Study
Recruiting · NCT07429578 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment) · Lead sponsor: University of Sao Paulo
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →Interventions studied
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
What this trial is about
This is an open-label pilot clinical trial to evaluate the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in adults diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and chronic primary insomnia. The study will involve 30 participants who will receive 20 sessions of tACS over four weeks. The stimulation will be delivered at 15 mA and 77.5 Hz using the Nexalin device. The main goal is to assess improvements in anxiety and sleep quality. Results from this study will provide preliminary evidence for future randomized controlled trials.
Who can take part
Age range
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All (male and female)
Healthy volunteers
No - a diagnosis or condition is required
Phase
Not applicable (e.g. observational or device study)
Study type
Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment)
Inclusion criteria
- Age between 18 and 65 years; Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria; Diagnosis of chronic primary insomnia; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score ≥15 at screening, indicating at least moderate anxiety severity; Score \>5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Stable use of antidepressants (SSRI or SNRI) is allowed; Limited use of benzodiazepines (maximum of 10 mg/day diazepam equivalent).
Exclusion criteria
- History of mania, hypomania, or bipolar disorder; Contraindications to the use of transcranial stimulation; Active suicidal ideation or suicide attempt in the last 4 weeks; Refractoriness to 3 or more antidepressant treatments; Pregnancy; Other psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenia, substance dependence, major depressive disorder); Severe medical or neurological conditions; Anxiety or insomnia secondary to other medical or psychiatric conditions (e.g., hypothyroidism, anemia).
Where it is running
1 location listed.
- University of São Paulo - São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil