Frequency- and Intensity-Dependent After-Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Resting-State Electroencephalography

August 29, 2026 updated by: Haifeng Jiang, Shanghai Mental Health Center

Frequency- and Intensity-Dependent After-Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Resting-State Electroencephalography in Patients With Auditory Hallucinations and Healthy Controls

This study aims to investigate the after-effects of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) with varying parameters on resting-state brain activity in patients with schizophrenia experiencing auditory hallucinations.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

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.

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 (Actual)

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.
36

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 Locations

  • China
      • Fuyang, China
        • Fuyang Mental Heath Center

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:

  • Age 18 to 65 years;
  • Meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5);
  • Adequate verbal communication skills;
  • At least one auditory hallucination episode within the past week;
  • Willing to participate in the study and able to complete all trial procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of neurological disorders, severe physical illness, traumatic brain injury, or craniotomy;
  • History of epileptic seizures or other neuropsychiatric disorders;
  • At risk for suicide, self-injury, or impulsive behavior.

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: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover 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: 0.4mA-10Hz HD-tACS
For 0.4mA-10Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 0.4mA-20Hz HD-tACS
For 0.4mA-20Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 20 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 0.4mA-40Hz HD-tACS
For 0.4mA-40Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 20 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 0.4mA-140Hz HD-tACS
For 0.4mA-140Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 1mA-10Hz HD-tACS
For 1mA-10Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 1mA-20Hz HD-tACS
For 1mA-20Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 1mA-40Hz HD-tACS
For 1mA-40Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 1mA-140Hz HD-tACS
For 1mA-140Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 2mA-10Hz HD-tACS
For 2mA-10Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 2mA-20Hz HD-tACS
For 2mA-20Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 2mA-40Hz HD-tACS
For 2mA-40Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: 2mA-140Hz HD-tACS
For 2mA-140Hz HD-tACS prevention, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel at 10 Hz and 0.4mA.
Device: high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The active intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. Stimulation is administered for 90 seconds per condition, with the frequency and current intensity set according to the experimental protocol. A 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period are included in each stimulation condition. The stimulus waveform is sinusoidal. Stimulation is delivered using saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Electrode impedance is maintained below 10 kΩ throughout the stimulation session.
Experimental: sham HD-tACS
For sham HD-tACS, we will stimulate the personalized left or right temporal lobe channel using sham HD-tACS pattern.
Device: sham high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation(HD-tACS)
The sham intervention consists of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) delivered using a 4×1 ring configuration (one center electrode surrounded by four return electrodes) over the personalized left or right temporal lobe. The return electrodes deliver one-quarter of the central electrode current with opposite polarity. To mimic the sensory experience of active stimulation, the sham condition includes a 10-second ramp-up and a 5-second ramp-down period at 0.4 mA and 140 Hz, with no current delivered during the intervening 90-second period.

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
Beta2-band EEG power at the stimulation site
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Changes in EEG power(dB) in beta2 band within different frequency band measured at the temporal lobe during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation

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
Alpha-band EEG power at the stimulation site
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Changes in EEG power(dB) in alpha band within different frequency band measured at the temporal lobe during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Delta-band EEG power at the stimulation site
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Changes in EEG power(dB) in delta band within different frequency band measured at the temporal lobe during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Theta-band EEG power at the stimulation site
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Changes in EEG power(dB) in theta band within different frequency band measured at the temporal lobe during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Gamma-band EEG power at the stimulation site
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Changes in EEG power(dB) in gamma band within different frequency band measured at the temporal lobe during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Beta2-band functional connectivity measured by EEG wPLI
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Beta2-band functional connectivity between predefined EEG electrodes, quantified using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI), during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Alpha-band functional connectivity measured by EEG wPLI
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Alpha-band functional connectivity between predefined EEG electrodes, quantified using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI), during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Delta-band functional connectivity measured by EEG wPLI
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Delta-band functional connectivity between predefined EEG electrodes, quantified using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI), during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Theta-band functional connectivity measured by EEG wPLI
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Theta-band functional connectivity between predefined EEG electrodes, quantified using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI), during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Gamma-band functional connectivity measured by EEG wPLI
Time Frame: 180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation
Gamma-band functional connectivity between predefined EEG electrodes, quantified using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI), during the 180-second resting-state EEG recording immediately following each stimulation condition.
180-second recording after each 90-second stimulation

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.
Shanghai Mental Health Center

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 (Actual)

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.
December 5, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

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.
February 11, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

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.
February 15, 2026

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).
July 1, 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 29, 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.
September 1, 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.
September 1, 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 29, 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

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.
  • HFJiang-006

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be made publicly available because of privacy and confidentiality considerations related to the collection of electrophysiological data from human participants.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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