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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02146014

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cigarette Addiction

Tobacco addiction is treatable with behavioral and pharmacological means, but results are often less than optimal. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a new non-invasive technique that applies weak electrical currents through the skull and has been shown to alter the excitability of certain brain areas. It is currently being tried in disorders where there is abnormal brain excitability, such as epilepsy and depression. A few studies have also been able to diminish drug craving, suggesting that brain excitability might also be altered in drug addiction.

This study aims at non-invasively changing the excitability of certain brain areas-a procedure called neuromodulation- in order to help smokers quit smoking more easily.

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Key information

Conditions

Addiction Behavior Behavior, Addictive Cigarette Smoking Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior Smoking Tobacco Smoking Tobacco Use

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hospital Universitário de Brasília- HUB

Brasília, Federal District, 71910-900, Brazil

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • smokers

Exclusion criteria

  • use of psychoactive drugs
  • age above 70

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Other

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a procedure that uses a small battery-driven unit to deliver weak electrical currents (1-2 mA) through the intact scalp. The procedure is painless and is thought to modulate the excitability of the underlying cerebral tissue for hours or days after sessions.

In the placebo group the current will be off.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a procedure that uses a small battery-driven unit to deliver weak electrical currents (1-2 mA) through the intact scalp. The procedure is painless and is thought to modulate the excitability of the underlying cerebral tissue for hours or days after sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Cigarette Craving

    Time frame: Before and 7 days after treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Motivation to Quit Smoking

    Time frame: Before and 7 days after intervention

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Brasilia

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex on Cigarette Smoking

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
May 23, 2014
Registry last updated
Jun 1, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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