High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Hi-tACS) for Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial
29 aprile 2026 aggiornato da: Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing
A Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Hi-tACS) for the Treatment of Essential Hypertension
This study focuses on individuals with primary hypertension, with the main objective of investigating the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) as a non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension
Panoramica dello studio
Stato
Non ancora reclutamento
Condizioni
Descrizione dettagliata
Hypertension is a highly prevalent cardiovascular disease and a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Many patients continue to have poorly controlled blood pressure despite standard medication, which may be due to excessive activity of the central sympathetic nervous system and poor long-term compliance. Conventional antihypertensive drugs mainly act on peripheral targets and lack regulation of the brain-heart axis, leaving a large clinical need for safe, non-pharmacological adjuvant treatments.
High-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that can modulate central autonomic networks and normalize sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. Recent studies and our preliminary data suggest that 77.5 Hz, 15 mA Hi-tACS may safely reduce blood pressure in individuals with elevated baseline levels. Therefore, we hypothesize that Hi-tACS can lower blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension by regulating brain autonomic function and reducing sympathetic overactivity.
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hi-tACS in adults with primary hypertension, explore its underlying neural and physiological mechanisms, and provide high-quality evidence for a new non-pharmacological approach to hypertension management.
Tipo di studio
Interventistico
Iscrizione (Stimato)
50
Fase
- Non applicabile
Contatti e Sedi
Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.
Contatto studio
- Nome: Hongxing Wang, MD & PhD
- Numero di telefono: +86 13911127385
- Email: wanghongxing@xwh.ccmu.edu.cn
Luoghi di studio
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Beijing Municipality
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Beijing, Beijing Municipality, Cina
- Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
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Criteri di partecipazione
I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.
Criteri di ammissibilità
Età idonea allo studio
- Adulto
- Adulto più anziano
Accetta volontari sani
No
Descrizione
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical diagnosis of primary hypertension (Grade 1-3) as defined by the Chinese Hypertension Guidelines (Revised Edition 2024).
- For females of childbearing potential, agreement to use contraception during the study.
- Willing and able to comply with study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period.
- Resistant hypertension (blood pressure uncontrolled despite adherence to ≥3 antihypertensive drugs of different classes at optimal doses, including a diuretic ), or known secondary hypertension.
- History of severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure NYHA Class III-IV) within the past 6 months, or severe hepatic or renal dysfunction (defined as ALT/AST >3× upper limit of normal [ULN], or eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m²).
- Uncontrolled sleep apnea syndrome, active infectious diseases, chronic wasting diseases, or significant cognitive impairment.
- Current major psychiatric disorder as assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.).
- Contraindications to tACS or MRI: implanted electronic devices, intracranial metal implants, or known history of seizures.
- Skin lesions, eczema, or broken skin at the intended electrode placement sites.
- Participation in another clinical trial involving an investigational product or device within 30 days prior to screening.
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the patient's safety or compliance with the study protocol, or interfere with data interpretation.
Piano di studio
Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.
Come è strutturato lo studio?
Dettagli di progettazione
- Scopo principale: Trattamento
- Assegnazione: Randomizzato
- Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
- Mascheramento: Doppio
Armi e interventi
Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm |
Intervento / Trattamento |
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Sperimentale: Active High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Hi-tACS)
Participants receive high-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) at 77.5 Hz, 15 mA for 40 minutes per session, one session per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions).
Electrodes are placed on the forehead (Fpz, Fp1, Fp2 regions) and bilateral mastoid regions.
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Active Hi-tACS delivered using a transcranial alternating current stimulation device.
Parameters: 77.5 Hz sinusoidal alternating current, 15 mA (peak-to-peak), 40 minutes per session.
Electrode montage: one 8 cm × 4 cm electrode placed horizontally on the forehead (covering Fpz, Fp1, Fp2 regions) and two 6 cm × 2.9 cm electrodes placed on bilateral mastoid regions.
Conductive gel ensures impedance <10 kΩ.
One session/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions).
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Comparatore fittizio: Sham High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Hi-tACS)
Participants receive sham stimulation with the same electrode placement.
Active stimulation is delivered only for the first 30 seconds, then ramped down to 0 mA over 10 seconds, with intermittent imperceptible skin-sensation signals for the remaining 40-minute session to mimic real stimulation.
Same session schedule (20 sessions over 4 weeks).
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Sham stimulation using the same device and electrode placement as the active arm.
Active stimulation is applied only for the first 30 seconds, then ramped down to 0 mA over 10 seconds.
For the remaining session duration, intermittent low-intensity signals producing imperceptible skin sensation are delivered to maintain blinding.
Same schedule: 40 minutes/session, one session/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions).
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Cosa sta misurando lo studio?
Misure di risultato primarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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Difference in systolic blood pressure at end of treatment
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Comparison of the change from baseline in systolic blood pressure between the two treatment groups at the end of treatment (week 4)
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From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Misure di risultato secondarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
|---|---|---|
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Difference in systolic blood pressure at week 12
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 12
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Comparison of the change from baseline in diastolic blood pressure between the two groups at week 12
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From baseline to week 12
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Difference in diastolic blood pressure at the end of treatment
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Comparison of the change from baseline in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the two groups at the end of treatment (week 4)
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From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Difference in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure parameter at the end of treatment: Mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Comparison of the change from baseline in mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure between the two treatment groups at the end of treatment (week 4)
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From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Difference in rate of achieving target blood pressure at the end of treatment
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Comparison of the proportion of patients achieving target blood pressure (defined as SBP/DBP <140/90 mmHg, or <130/80 mmHg for those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease) between the two groups at end of treatment （week 4）
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From baseline to week 4 (end of treatment)
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Difference in proportion of achieving target blood pressure at week 12
Lasso di tempo: From baseline to week 12
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Comparison of the proportion of patients achieving target blood pressure (defined as SBP/DBP <140/90 mmHg, or <130/80 mmHg for those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease) between the two groups at week 12
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From baseline to week 12
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Collaboratori e investigatori
Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.
Sponsor
Pubblicazioni e link utili
La persona responsabile dell'inserimento delle informazioni sullo studio fornisce volontariamente queste pubblicazioni. Questi possono riguardare qualsiasi cosa relativa allo studio.
Pubblicazioni generali
- Wang HX, Wang L, Zhang WR, Xue Q, Peng M, Sun ZC, Li LP, Wang K, Yang XT, Jia Y, Zhou QL, Xu ZX, Li N, Dong K, Zhang Q, Song HQ, Zhan SQ, Min BQ, Fan CQ, Zhou AH, Guo XH, Li HB, Liang LR, Yin L, Si TM, Huang J, Yan TY, Cosci F, Kamiya A, Lu J, Wang YP. Effect of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2020;89(1):38-47. doi: 10.1159/000504609. Epub 2019 Dec 17.
- Liu X, Wang K, Si T, Zhang X, Cosci F, Gao K, Wang H. The role of 15 mA and 77.5 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation in blood pressure regulation: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2025 Apr 1;374:91-98. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.017. Epub 2025 Jan 9.
Studiare le date dei record
Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.
Studia le date principali
Inizio studio (Stimato)
1 maggio 2026
Completamento primario (Stimato)
1 ottobre 2027
Completamento dello studio (Stimato)
1 maggio 2028
Date di iscrizione allo studio
Primo inviato
16 aprile 2026
Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità
29 aprile 2026
Primo Inserito (Effettivo)
5 maggio 2026
Aggiornamenti dei record di studio
Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)
5 maggio 2026
Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC
29 aprile 2026
Ultimo verificato
1 aprile 2026
Maggiori informazioni
Termini relativi a questo studio
Parole chiave
Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi
Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio
- Hi-tACS for HBP
- HZ2025PYLJ003 (Altro numero di sovvenzione/finanziamento: Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University)
Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)
Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?
NO
Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio
Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
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