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Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Enhance Mindfulness Therapy in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

10 giugno 2026 aggiornato da: Yumeng Ju, Central South University

Effects and Mechanisms of Individualized Alpha-Frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation as an Augmentation Strategy for Mindfulness Therapy in Patients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate whether individualized alpha-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can enhance the effects of mindfulness therapy in adults with generalized anxiety disorder. A total of 99 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: synchronous tACS combined with mindfulness therapy, desynchronous tACS combined with mindfulness therapy, or sham tACS combined with mindfulness therapy.

All participants will receive a standardized mindfulness therapy program. The study will compare changes in anxiety symptoms, worry, mindfulness, attention control, cognitive performance, and neurophysiological measures across the three groups. Assessments will be conducted from baseline through follow-up visits to examine both clinical effects and possible neural mechanisms.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Non ancora reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and difficult-to-control worry, often accompanied by physical symptoms and impaired daily functioning. Mindfulness-based therapy may help patients observe worry and anxiety-related bodily sensations with greater awareness and acceptance. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may modulate neural oscillations related to cognitive control and emotion regulation.

This study will enroll 99 adults with generalized anxiety disorder. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three intervention groups: synchronous tACS plus mindfulness therapy, desynchronous tACS plus mindfulness therapy, or sham tACS plus mindfulness therapy. All groups will receive the same standardized mindfulness therapy program. The active tACS conditions will target the frontoparietal network, with stimulation parameters individualized according to each participant's alpha-band neurophysiological characteristics. The sham stimulation condition will mimic the initial and final sensation of stimulation while delivering no active current during the main stimulation period.

Clinical, behavioral, and neurophysiological assessments will be collected at baseline and follow-up visits. Outcome assessments will include anxiety severity, depressive symptoms, worry, mindfulness, attention control, cognitive performance, adverse effects related to tACS, and multimodal measures such as electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, and eye tracking. The study aims to determine whether individualized alpha-frequency tACS can improve the therapeutic effects of mindfulness therapy and to explore potential neural mechanisms underlying treatment response.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

99

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

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

  • Cina
    • Hunan
      • Changsha, Hunan, Cina, 410011
        • The Second Xiangya Hospital Of Central South University
        • Contatto:

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

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Outpatients or inpatients of The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.
  • Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder as the primary diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria, confirmed by two experienced psychiatrists.
  • Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) total score of 14 or higher.
  • Aged 18 to 60 years, inclusive.
  • Right-handed.
  • Junior high school education or above, with sufficient ability to understand the study procedures, complete informed consent, clinical scales, and cognitive assessments.
  • Currently not using anxiolytic or antidepressant medications, or receiving a stable medication regimen for at least 1 month before enrollment, with no planned changes in the medication regimen during the 2-week treatment period unless clinically necessary.
  • Voluntarily agrees to participate in the study, signs the informed consent form, and is able to comply with study visits, treatment procedures, laboratory examinations, and other study requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of psychotic symptoms.
  • Meeting ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders, bipolar or related disorders, current depressive episode, dysthymic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder currently or within the past year.
  • Organic brain disease or severe physical illness, including but not limited to thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, severe pulmonary, hepatic, or renal impairment, infection, or major trauma.
  • Clinically significant uncorrectable sensory impairment, such as hearing impairment that prevents effective communication.
  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Contraindications to transcranial electrical stimulation or related procedures, including metal implants in the body, intracranial hypertension, skull defects, brain tumor, severe heart disease, unstable vital signs due to serious physical illness, acute cerebrovascular disease, or a history of adverse reactions to electrical stimulation.
  • Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the participant unsuitable for this study.

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
Sperimentale: Synchronous tACS Plus Mindfulness Therapy
Participants in this arm will receive individualized alpha-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with standardized mindfulness therapy. The stimulation electrodes will be placed over F3 and P3, corresponding to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal lobule, and will deliver in-phase stimulation. Mindfulness therapy will be delivered using the same standardized program as in the other arms.
Dispositivo: Synchronous Individualized Alpha-Frequency tACS
Individualized alpha-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) will be delivered to the frontoparietal network. Stimulation electrodes will be placed over F3 and P3, corresponding to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal lobule. In the synchronous tACS condition, the F3 and P3 stimulation electrodes will deliver in-phase sinusoidal alternating current. The stimulation frequency will be individualized based on each participant's alpha-band phase locking value peak between F3 and P3.
Altri nomi:
  • Synchronous tACS
  • In-Phase tACS
  • Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
Comportamentale: Mindfulness Therapy
Participants will receive a standardized mindfulness therapy program for 2 weeks, with 10 sessions in total. Each session will last 40 minutes. The program follows a progressive structure of awareness, acceptance, and application. The first five sessions focus on breath awareness and body scan practices. The last five sessions focus on observing anxiety-related bodily sensations and worry-related thoughts with a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude, and on using breathing space practices to redirect attention to the present moment.
Altri nomi:
  • Mindfulness Meditation Training
  • Standardized Mindfulness Training
Comparatore attivo: Desynchronous tACS Plus Mindfulness Therapy
Participants in this arm will receive individualized alpha-frequency tACS combined with the same standardized mindfulness therapy program. The stimulation targets, treatment duration, and general stimulation setup will be the same as in the synchronous tACS arm, but the phase difference between the F3 and P3 stimulation electrodes will be set at 180 degrees.
Comportamentale: Mindfulness Therapy
Participants will receive a standardized mindfulness therapy program for 2 weeks, with 10 sessions in total. Each session will last 40 minutes. The program follows a progressive structure of awareness, acceptance, and application. The first five sessions focus on breath awareness and body scan practices. The last five sessions focus on observing anxiety-related bodily sensations and worry-related thoughts with a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude, and on using breathing space practices to redirect attention to the present moment.
Altri nomi:
  • Mindfulness Meditation Training
  • Standardized Mindfulness Training
Dispositivo: Desynchronous Individualized Alpha-Frequency tACS
Individualized alpha-frequency tACS will be delivered using the same stimulation targets and general setup as the synchronous tACS condition. Stimulation electrodes will be placed over F3 and P3, corresponding to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal lobule. In the desynchronous tACS condition, the phase difference between the F3 and P3 stimulation electrodes will be set at 180 degrees.
Altri nomi:
  • Desynchronous tACS
  • Anti-Phase tACS
  • 180-Degree Phase Difference tACS
Comparatore fittizio: Sham tACS Plus Mindfulness Therapy
Participants in this arm will receive sham tACS combined with the same standardized mindfulness therapy program. Sham stimulation will include 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods at the beginning and end of stimulation to mimic the sensation of active tACS. No active current will be delivered during the main 20-minute stimulation period, while the electrodes will remain in place to maintain blinding.
Comportamentale: Mindfulness Therapy
Participants will receive a standardized mindfulness therapy program for 2 weeks, with 10 sessions in total. Each session will last 40 minutes. The program follows a progressive structure of awareness, acceptance, and application. The first five sessions focus on breath awareness and body scan practices. The last five sessions focus on observing anxiety-related bodily sensations and worry-related thoughts with a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude, and on using breathing space practices to redirect attention to the present moment.
Altri nomi:
  • Mindfulness Meditation Training
  • Standardized Mindfulness Training
Dispositivo: Sham tACS
Sham tACS will be delivered with the electrodes placed in the same positions as in the active tACS conditions. The sham condition will include 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods at the beginning and end of stimulation to mimic the sensation of active stimulation. No active current will be delivered during the main 20-minute stimulation period, while the electrodes will remain in place to maintain blinding.
Altri nomi:
  • Sham Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Change from baseline in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale total score at Week 2 post-randomization
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and Week 2
The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) is a clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms. This outcome is defined as the change in HAMA total score from baseline to Week 2 post-randomization, calculated as the Week 2 score minus the baseline score. A greater reduction indicates greater improvement in anxiety symptoms.
Baseline and Week 2

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Score From Baseline to Follow-up
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a 7-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity.
Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
Change in Penn State Worry Questionnaire Score From Baseline to Follow-up
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a 16-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the tendency to engage in excessive and uncontrollable worry. The total score ranges from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater worry severity.
Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Score From Baseline to Follow-up
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is a self-report questionnaire used to assess mindfulness-related abilities, including observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity. For the standard 39-item version, the total score ranges from 39 to 195, with higher scores indicating a higher level of mindfulness.
Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
Change in Attentional Control Scale Score From Baseline to Follow-up
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
The Attentional Control Scale (ACS) is a 20-item self-report questionnaire used to assess perceived ability to focus and shift attention. The total score ranges from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating better attentional control.
Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
tACS-Related Adverse Effects Assessed by the tACS Adverse Effects Questionnaire
Lasso di tempo: Week 1 and Week 2
The Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Adverse Effects Questionnaire (tACS-AEQ) will be used to assess stimulation-related adverse effects, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, skin redness, itching, tingling, burning sensation, scalp discomfort, and other adverse sensations. This outcome will report the presence and severity of adverse effects, with higher item-level severity ratings indicating more severe adverse effects.
Week 1 and Week 2
Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 Score From Baseline to Follow-up
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) is a 17-item clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Month 1, Month 2, Month 4, and Month 6

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Central South University

Investigatori

  • Cattedra di studio: Yan Zhang, PhD, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
  • Direttore dello studio: Yumeng Ju, PhD, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

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 giugno 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

1 giugno 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

1 giugno 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

10 giugno 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

10 giugno 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

15 giugno 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

15 giugno 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

10 giugno 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 giugno 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Parole chiave

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • KYZZ20260020

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

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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