Effects of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Appetite

August 7, 2026 updated by: Hyung Jin Choi, Seoul National University Hospital

Neurophysiological Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Appetite: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Design

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-design study aims to evaluate the neurophysiological effects of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on appetite in adults with binge eating tendencies.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. After baseline assessments, participants will self-administer home-based tDCS twice daily for 4 weeks using a wearable wellness device. Appetite, eating behavior, body composition, dietary intake, and psychological outcomes will be assessed throughout the study to evaluate both the acute and chronic effects of repeated tDCS.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Obesity and binge eating behaviors are closely associated with abnormal appetite regulation and food craving. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may modulate prefrontal cortical activity involved in appetite control and inhibitory regulation.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether repeated home-based tDCS reduces appetite and improves eating-related behaviors in adults with binge eating tendencies.

This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-design trial. A total of 100 participants aged 19 to 65 years with Binge Eating Scale (BES) scores of 18 or higher will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group.

Participants will perform home-based tDCS twice daily for 4 weeks using a wearable wellness scalp stimulation device. Appetite will be evaluated using repeated visual analogue scale (VAS) assessments to examine both acute and chronic effects of stimulation. Secondary outcome measures include changes in body composition, eating behavior questionnaires, food craving, binge eating severity, dietary intake, sleep quality, stress, depression, and anxiety.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the neurophysiological effects of repeated home-based tDCS on appetite regulation and eating behavior.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 19 to 65 years
  • Binge Eating Scale (BES) score ≥18
  • BMI ≥18.5 kg/m²
  • No significant weight loss or lifestyle changes during the previous 3 months
  • Stable chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) are allowed
  • Able to use an Android smartphone compatible with the study application (including a study phone if provided)
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent
  • Implanted pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, deep brain stimulator, cochlear implant, coronary stent, or other implanted metallic medical devices (dental implants and joint prostheses are allowed)
  • Diagnosis or treatment for a psychiatric or neurological disorder within the previous 3 months
  • Use of medications affecting appetite or body weight within the previous month
  • Use of medications affecting eating behavior or mood within the previous month
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Any medical condition judged by the investigator to interfere with study participation or interpretation of study results

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Active tDCS
Participants receive active home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using a wearable wellness scalp stimulation device. Active stimulation delivers 1.0 mA direct current for 20 minutes twice daily for 4 weeks.
Device: Active Home-Based tDCS
Participants receive active home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using a wearable wellness scalp stimulation device. Active stimulation delivers 1.0 mA direct current for 20 minutes twice daily for 4 weeks.
Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS
Participants receive sham home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using the same wearable wellness scalp stimulation device. Sham stimulation delivers brief current only at the beginning and end of each session to maintain blinding.
Device: Sham Home-Based tDCS
Participants receive sham home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using the same wearable wellness scalp stimulation device. Sham stimulation delivers brief current only at the beginning and end of each session to maintain blinding.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Appetite Visual Analog Scale Score Before and After Stimulation
Time Frame: Immediately before and after the first stimulation session on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Acute change in appetite is assessed using the Appetite Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately before and after the first daily stimulation session on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28. The acute effect is defined as the change in Appetite VAS score from immediately before to immediately after stimulation. The Appetite Visual Analog Scale ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater appetite.
Immediately before and after the first stimulation session on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Change in Bedtime Appetite Visual Analog Scale Score Over 4 Weeks
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Chronic change in appetite is assessed using the bedtime Appetite Visual Analog Scale (BT-VAS), measured once daily before bedtime from Day 1 through Day 28. The chronic effect is evaluated based on the change in bedtime Appetite VAS scores over time during the 4-week intervention period. The Appetite Visual Analog Scale ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater appetite.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Body Weight
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in body weight measured in kilograms (kg) from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Body Mass Index
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in body mass index (BMI), calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²), from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Body Fat Percentage
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in body fat percentage, measured as a percentage (%), from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Waist Circumference
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in waist circumference measured in centimeters (cm) from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Skeletal Muscle Mass
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in skeletal muscle mass measured in kilograms (kg) using bioelectrical impedance analysis from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire Scores
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) assesses restrained, emotional, and external eating behavior using 33 items rated on a 5-point scale. The restrained eating subscale consists of 10 items, yielding a total score ranging from 10 to 50; higher scores indicate greater dietary restraint and stronger conscious control of food intake. The emotional eating subscale consists of 13 items, yielding a total score ranging from 13 to 65; higher scores indicate a greater tendency to eat in response to emotional states. The external eating subscale consists of 10 items, yielding a total score ranging from 10 to 50; higher scores indicate a greater tendency to eat in response to external food-related cues. Changes in the three DEBQ subscale scores will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Reward-Based Eating Drive Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Reward-Based Eating Drive Scale-13 (RED-13) assesses reward-based eating, including loss of control over eating, lack of satiety, and preoccupation with food. The 13 items are rated from 1 to 5 and summed to yield a total score ranging from 10 to 65. Higher scores indicate greater reward-based eating drive. Change in RED-13 total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in General Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The General Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T) assesses trait-like general food craving. It consists of 21 items rated from 1 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 21 to 126. Higher scores indicate greater trait food craving. Change in G-FCQ-T total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
General Food Cravings Questionnaire-State Score
Time Frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 28
The General Food Cravings Questionnaire-State (G-FCQ-S) assesses current or momentary food craving. It consists of 15 items rated on a 5-point scale from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 15 to 75. Higher scores indicate greater current food craving. G-FCQ-S scores will be assessed repeatedly on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 during the 4-week intervention period.
Days 7, 14, 21, and 28
Change in Behavioral Inhibition System Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) scale consists of 7 items rated on a 4-point scale from 1 to 4, yielding a total score ranging from 7 to 28. Higher scores indicate greater sensitivity to punishment and stronger behavioral inhibition. Change in the BIS score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Behavioral Activation System Scores
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale consists of 13 items rated on a 4-point scale from 1 to 4 and comprises three subscales: Reward Responsiveness (5 items; score range, 5-20), Drive (4 items; score range, 4-16), and Fun Seeking (4 items; score range, 4-16). Higher scores indicate greater reward responsiveness, stronger goal-directed drive, and greater fun-seeking tendency, respectively. Changes in the BAS subscale scores will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Eating Expectancy Inventory (EEI) Scores
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
The Korean version of the Eating Expectancy Inventory (EEI) assesses expectancies regarding the psychological and emotional consequences of eating. The questionnaire consists of 28 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale from 1 to 7, yielding a total score ranging from 28 to 196. Higher scores indicate stronger endorsement of eating-related expectancies. Change in the EEI total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline and Week 4
Change in Anticipated Negative Effects of Junk Food Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Korean version of the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale (AEFS) assesses anticipated emotional responses to eating food. The negative affect subscale for junk food consists of 12 items rated from 1 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 12 to 72. Higher scores indicate stronger anticipated negative emotional effects of eating junk food. Change in the subscale score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Anticipated Positive Effects of Junk Food Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Korean version of the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale (AEFS) assesses anticipated emotional responses to eating food. The positive affect subscale for junk food consists of 12 items rated from 1 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 12 to 72. Higher scores indicate stronger anticipated positive emotional effects of eating junk food. Change in the subscale score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Anticipated Negative Effects of Healthy Food Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Korean version of the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale (AEFS) assesses anticipated emotional responses to eating food. The negative affect subscale for healthy food consists of 12 items rated from 1 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 12 to 72. Higher scores indicate stronger anticipated negative emotional effects of eating healthy food. Change in the subscale score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Anticipated Positive Effects of Healthy Food Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Korean version of the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale (AEFS) assesses anticipated emotional responses to eating food. The positive affect subscale for healthy food consists of 12 items rated from 1 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 12 to 72. Higher scores indicate stronger anticipated positive emotional effects of eating healthy food. Change in the subscale score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Perceived Stress Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assesses the degree to which situations in one's life are perceived as stressful. For the 10-item version (PSS-10), items are scored from 0 to 4 and summed after reverse scoring the positively stated items, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 40. Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress. Change in PSS total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assesses subjective sleep quality and disturbances. Seven component scores are summed to yield a global score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality and greater sleep disturbance. Change in PSQI global score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Beck Depression Inventory-II Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) assesses the severity of depressive symptoms. The 21 items are scored from 0 to 3 and summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms. Change in BDI-II total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Beck Anxiety Inventory Score
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 4
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) assesses the severity of anxiety symptoms. The 21 items are scored from 0 to 3 and summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms. Change in BAI total score will be assessed from baseline to Week 4.
Baseline to Week 4
Change in Binge Eating Scale Score
Time Frame: Screening to Week 4
The Binge Eating Scale (BES) assesses the severity of binge eating symptoms and associated thoughts and behaviors. The scale consists of 16 items, with item responses assigned weighted scores ranging from 0 to 3. The total score ranges from 0 to 46, with higher scores indicating greater severity of binge eating symptoms. Change in the BES total score will be assessed from screening to Week 4.
Screening to Week 4

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Daily Energy Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily total energy intake, measured in kilocalories per day (kcal/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Carbohydrate Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily carbohydrate intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Protein Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily protein intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Fat Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily total fat intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Sugar Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily total sugar intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Saturated Fat Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily saturated fat intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily Dietary Fiber Intake
Time Frame: Daily from Day 1 through Day 28
Daily dietary fiber intake, measured in grams per day (g/day), will be assessed using dietary records entered in the FatSecret mobile application throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Daily from Day 1 through Day 28

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Seoul National University Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Hyung jin Choi, MD-PhD, Seoul National University College of Medicine

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 7, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • DCS26-SNU

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because there is no current plan for public or external data sharing. De-identified study data will be used only for the purposes described in the study protocol and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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