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Effects and Mechanisms of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

27 de abril de 2026 actualizado por: Chun Wang, Nanjing Medical University

Effects and Mechanisms of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently persists into adulthood and is associated with substantial impairments in academic, occupational, and social functioning. Although pharmacological treatment remains the primary intervention, some adults with ADHD show limited response to medication or experience adverse effects, highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological or combined treatment approaches. Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training (DBT-ST), which emphasizes emotion regulation, impulse control, mindfulness, and behavioral organization, has shown potential in the treatment of adult ADHD. However, its therapeutic efficacy may vary across individuals, and strategies to enhance treatment outcomes still require further investigation. In parallel, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a safe and non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has attracted increasing attention as an adjunctive intervention in psychiatric disorders. Existing studies suggest that combining tDCS with psychotherapy may optimize treatment effects by modulating neural networks related to cognitive control and emotional regulation. Nevertheless, evidence for such combined interventions in adult ADHD remains limited, particularly with respect to rigorous randomized controlled designs and mechanism-based neuroimaging validation.

The present study aims to investigate the efficacy and potential mechanisms of tDCS combined with DBT-ST in adults with ADHD. A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled design will be adopted. Sixty eligible adult participants with ADHD will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group, with both groups receiving weekly DBT-ST for ten consecutive weeks. tDCS will be administered over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) with 2 mA current for 20 minutes, prior to each group therapy session. Clinical symptoms, functional outcomes, and cognitive performance will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up using standardized self-report measures and behavioral tasks. In addition, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) will be conducted before and after the intervention to examine changes in functional connectivity within prefrontal regulatory networks.

This study is expected to clarify whether tDCS can enhance the therapeutic effects of DBT-ST on core ADHD symptoms and related functional outcomes, and whether such effects are associated with improvements in executive function, emotion regulation, and alterations in DLPFC-related resting-state functional connectivity. By integrating clinical, behavioral, and neuroimaging measures, the study seeks to provide preliminary evidence for a novel non-pharmacological combined intervention for adult ADHD and to further elucidate its underlying neural mechanisms.

Descripción general del estudio

Estado

Reclutamiento

Condiciones

Intervención / Tratamiento

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

60

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

  • Nombre: Chun Wang, PhD
  • Número de teléfono: 15850566376
  • Correo electrónico: wang_chun@nju.edu.cn

Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio

Ubicaciones de estudio

    • Jiangsu
      • Nanjing, Jiangsu, Porcelana, 210029
        • Reclutamiento
        • Nanjing Brain Hospital
        • Contacto:

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Meet the diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Diagnosis confirmed using the Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5).
  • Aged between 18 and 55 years.
  • Right-handed.
  • Voluntary participation with provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of neurological disorders or other psychiatric disorders.
  • Severe physical illness.
  • Receipt of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or other physical treatments within 6 months prior to enrollment.
  • Planned changes in ADHD-related medication before the final follow-up assessment.
  • Contraindications to tDCS (e.g., intracranial metal or electronic implants, skull plates, or other cranial implants).
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
  • Enmascaramiento: Doble

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Experimental: Active tDCS + DBT-ST
Participants receive active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with dialectical behavior therapy skills training (DBT-ST).
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is administered over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In the active condition, a constant current of 2 mA is applied for 20 minutes per session, twice prior to each weekly therapy session, for 10 weeks. The anodal electrode is placed over the left DLPFC (F3) and the cathodal electrode over the right DLPFC (F4). In the sham condition, the current is ramped up and down briefly to mimic the sensation of stimulation without delivering an effective dose.
Otros nombres:
  • tDCS
Comparador falso: Sham tDCS + DBT-ST
Participants receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with dialectical behavior therapy skills training (DBT-ST).
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is administered over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In the active condition, a constant current of 2 mA is applied for 20 minutes per session, twice prior to each weekly therapy session, for 10 weeks. The anodal electrode is placed over the left DLPFC (F3) and the cathodal electrode over the right DLPFC (F4). In the sham condition, the current is ramped up and down briefly to mimic the sensation of stimulation without delivering an effective dose.
Otros nombres:
  • tDCS

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change in ADHD symptoms as measured by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
ADHD symptom severity will be assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). The ASRS is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 18 items. The total score ranges from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating more severe ADHD symptoms. The primary outcome is the change in ASRS total score from baseline to post-intervention (10 weeks).
Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change in executive function performance as measured by the Stop-Signal Task (SST)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks
Executive function will be assessed using the Stop-Signal Task (SST). The outcome measure is the stop-signal reaction time (SSRT), reported in milliseconds. The change in SSRT from baseline to post-intervention will be analyzed.
Baseline to 10 weeks
Change in emotion regulation ability as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Emotion regulation will be assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). The DERS is a 36-item self-report questionnaire. The total score ranges from 36 to 180, with higher scores indicating greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The change in DERS total score from baseline to post-intervention will be evaluated.
Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change in anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Anxiety symptoms will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. The GAD-7 is a 7-item self-report questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety. The change in GAD-7 total score from baseline to post-intervention will be evaluated.
Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change in resting-state functional connectivity within prefrontal regulatory networks
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Resting-state functional connectivity will be assessed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The outcome measure is the strength of functional connectivity within prefrontal regulatory networks, focusing on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and is expressed as Fisher's Z-transformed correlation coefficient. The change in connectivity from baseline to post-intervention will be analyzed.
Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Maintenance of treatment effects at 1-month follow-up
Periodo de tiempo: 1-month follow-up
Maintenance of treatment effects will be evaluated by reassessing the following clinical and cognitive outcomes at 1-month follow-up and comparing them with baseline values: ASRS total score (range 0-72, higher = worse), SST stop-signal reaction time (milliseconds), N-back d-prime (unitless), DERS total score (36-180, higher = worse), GAD-7 total score (0-21, higher = worse), PHQ-9 total score (0-27, higher = worse), and rs-fMRI DLPFC functional connectivity (Fisher's Z). Each of these measurements will be analyzed as a separate maintenance endpoint, using the same units of measure as defined in the respective outcomes above.
1-month follow-up
Change in depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 is a 9-item self-report questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression. The change in PHQ-9 total score from baseline to post-intervention will be evaluated.
Baseline to 10 weeks (post-intervention)

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Chun Wang, PhD, Nanjing Brain Hospital

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

1 de abril de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

21 de junio de 2028

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de septiembre de 2028

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

15 de abril de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

27 de abril de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

4 de mayo de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

4 de mayo de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

27 de abril de 2026

Última verificación

1 de abril de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Otros números de identificación del estudio

  • 2026-KY022-01

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

INDECISO

Descripción del plan IPD

Data sharing plans are currently undecided. Data may be made available upon reasonable request and subject to institutional approval and participant confidentiality considerations.

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .