AddictionNCT03549065
Effects of rTMS and tDCS Treatment on Brain Function, Craving and Relapse Prevention
A study testing Brain Stimulation in people with Addiction, run by Medical University of South Carolina.
Trial summary
Addiction is known as a chronic relapsing brain disorder that has a high cost to patients, family and society. Its ranking in cause of death is 8th globally, and substance abuse contributes 5.4% of the total global burden of disease. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Addiction
- What is being tested?
- Brain Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 0 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Jun 2015to Mar 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 40 treatment-seeking opioid-dependent subjects (between the ages of 21 and 65) with at least 30 days of abstinence under maintenance treatment will be included in this single blind study.
Who cannot join
- history of seizures,
- receiving any medications known to lower seizure threshold,
- pregnancy,
- metal implants above the waist,
- brain lesions or tumors,
- a history of negative reactions to TMS, and
- a positive opioid urine screen (except methadone and suboxone
About this study
Official title: Effects of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Methods (rTMS and tDCS) Treatment on Brain Function, Craving and Relapse Prevention
Addiction is known as a chronic relapsing brain disorder that has a high cost to patients, family and society. Its ranking in cause of death is 8th globally, and substance abuse contributes 5.4% of the total global burden of disease. Brain stimulation procedures such as repetitive trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are considered minimal risk interventions and are used for the treatment of depression, pain, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. There is some evidence that rTMS applied to the left prefrontal cortex results in significantly lowered craving. To date, no studies have investigated the effects of a course of either rTMS or tDCS treatment on opioid craving, brain function, and relapse prevention in opioid addicts. Individuals with prescription opioid dependence experience high rates of desire and intense cravings to use opioids. The present study aims to examine the effects of a course of daily prefrontal rTMS and tDCS on brain function, desire and craving and help to relapse prevention in abstinence phase.
Read the detailed description
The investigators plan to compare and contrast TMS and tDCS alone or in combination to treat opioid abuse. We will use a 4 cell randomised parallel controlled trial, consisting of active or sham TMS, and active or sham tDCS [a-tDCS, a-TMS; s-tDCS, a-TMS; a-tDCS, s-TMS; s-tDCS, s-TMS). The investigators hypothesise that each of the active interventions alone will be superior to pure sham in reducing craving and use. Moreover, The investigators hypothesise that COMBINING the two active treatments will be synergistic and will produce the largest reductions in craving and use.
- Conditions
- Addiction
- Being tested
- Brain Stimulation
- Keywords
- Brain stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Behavior, Addictive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brain StimulationDevice
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a minimally invasive brain stimulation method that stimulates the brain of an individual focally(George \& Belmaker, 2007). TMS pulses that are delivered repetitively and rhythmically are referred to as repetitive TMS (rTMS).
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is another form of non-invasive brain stimulation that is being investigated as an intervention for neurological and psychiatric disorders. A weak direct electrical current (0-2 mA) flows between two small electrodes via saline soaked sponges placed on the scalp (Nitsche MA et al, 2008).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS | Active comparator | Applying active tDCS AND active TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than sham TMS AND sham tDCS and also either active TMS OR active tDCS alone. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of 20 minutes active tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), followed by 4000 pulses of real rTMS (10Hz over left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex(DLPFC) for 20 minutes at 120%MT). There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS and the groups with only active tDCS OR active TMS. Receives: Device: Brain Stimulation |
| 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS | Active comparator | Applying sham tDCS AND active TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than will sham TMS AND sham tDCS. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes sham tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of real rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. Receives: Device: Brain Stimulation |
| 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS | Active comparator | Applying active tDCS AND sham TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than will sham TMS AND sham tDCS. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes active tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of sham rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. Receives: Device: Brain Stimulation |
| 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS | Sham comparator | Applying sham tDCS AND sham TMS will not reduce cue induced craving and opioid use. We will apply 10 sessions of one hour of brain stimulation. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes sham tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of sham rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. Receives: Device: Brain Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in craving and opioid relapse Using Opioid Cue panel
Using Opioid Cue panel
Measured: Day 1, 6 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jun 2018
- Study startJun 2015
- Primary completionMar 2016
- Study completionMar 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AddictionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Medical University of South CarolinaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03549065
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MUSouthCarolina
- Status last verified
- Jun 2018
- First submitted
- 4 May 2015
- Last updated
- 7 Jun 2018
- Results posted
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jun 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Methods (rTMS and tDCS) Treatment on Brain Function, Craving and Relapse Prevention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03549065
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MUSouthCarolina
- Conditions
- Addiction
- Keywords
- Brain stimulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Withdrawn
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South CarolinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2015
- Primary completion
- Mar 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Mar 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Addiction is known as a chronic relapsing brain disorder that has a high cost to patients, family and society. Its ranking in cause of death is 8th globally, and substance abuse contributes 5.4% of the total global burden of disease. Brain stimulation procedures such as repetitive trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are considered minimal risk interventions and are used for the treatment of depression, pain, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. There is some evidence that rTMS applied to the left prefrontal cortex results in significantly lowered craving. To date, no studies have investigated the effects of a course of either rTMS or tDCS treatment on opioid craving, brain function, and relapse prevention in opioid addicts. Individuals with prescription opioid dependence experience high rates of desire and intense cravings to use opioids. The present study aims to examine the effects of a course of daily prefrontal rTMS and tDCS on brain function, desire and craving and help to relapse prevention in abstinence phase.
Detailed description
The investigators plan to compare and contrast TMS and tDCS alone or in combination to treat opioid abuse. We will use a 4 cell randomised parallel controlled trial, consisting of active or sham TMS, and active or sham tDCS [a-tDCS, a-TMS; s-tDCS, a-TMS; a-tDCS, s-TMS; s-tDCS, s-TMS). The investigators hypothesise that each of the active interventions alone will be superior to pure sham in reducing craving and use. Moreover, The investigators hypothesise that COMBINING the two active treatments will be synergistic and will produce the largest reductions in craving and use.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS | Active comparator | Device: Brain StimulationApplying active tDCS AND active TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than sham TMS AND sham tDCS and also either active TMS OR active tDCS alone. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of 20 minutes active tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), followed by 4000 pulses of real rTMS (10Hz over left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex(DLPFC) for 20 minutes at 120%MT). There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS and the groups with only active tDCS OR active TMS. |
| 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS | Active comparator | Device: Brain StimulationApplying sham tDCS AND active TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than will sham TMS AND sham tDCS. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes sham tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of real rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. |
| 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS | Active comparator | Device: Brain StimulationApplying active tDCS AND sham TMS will reduce cue induced craving and opioid use, more than will sham TMS AND sham tDCS. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes active tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of sham rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. |
| 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS | Sham comparator | Device: Brain StimulationApplying sham tDCS AND sham TMS will not reduce cue induced craving and opioid use. We will apply 10 sessions of one hour of brain stimulation. We will apply 10 daily sessions of brain stimulation (1 hour total treatment time). This is composed of with 20 minutes sham tDCS (anode on F3 EEG positioning and cathode on contra shoulder), and 4000 pulses of sham rTMS with (10Hz over left DLPFC for 20 minutes at 120%MT. There will be 10 minutes rest between each module. We will test for cue-induced craving scores using VAS and urine drug screens for opioid abuse in comparison to the control group of sham TMS AND sham tDCS. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 40 treatment-seeking opioid-dependent subjects (between the ages of 21 and 65) with at least 30 days of abstinence under maintenance treatment will be included in this single blind study.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- history of seizures,
- receiving any medications known to lower seizure threshold,
- pregnancy,
- metal implants above the waist,
- brain lesions or tumors,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Brain StimulationTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a minimally invasive brain stimulation method that stimulates the brain of an individual focally(George \& Belmaker, 2007). TMS pulses that are delivered repetitively and rhythmically are referred to as repetitive TMS (rTMS). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is another form of non-invasive brain stimulation that is being investigated as an intervention for neurological and psychiatric disorders. A weak direct electrical current (0-2 mA) flows between two small electrodes via saline soaked sponges placed on the scalp (Nitsche MA et al, 2008). | Device | 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS, 20 min active tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS, 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min active rTMS, 20 min sham tDCS, and 20 min sham rTMS |
Primary outcome
Change in craving and opioid relapse Using Opioid Cue panel
Time frame: Day 1, 6 month
Using Opioid Cue panel
Results and safety
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jun 2018.
Related trials for Addiction
Not yet recruiting
Prescribe to Prevent HIV: A Hybrid Trial Helping Addiction Clinics Prevent HIV & Infections Through Safer Drug Use Support
People Who Use Opioids/People With Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Not yet recruiting
Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Gambling Disorder
Gambling Disorder, Gambling Addiction
Not yet recruiting
Compulsive Eating and Brain's Reward System in Different Pathologies
PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), Bipolar 1 Disorder
Recruiting
The Trans-Led Care Study
Substance Abuse, Substance Addiction
Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA)
Normal Physiology, Alcohol Use Disorder
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Brain Stimulation in people with Addiction, run by Medical University of South Carolina.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jun 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in craving and opioid relapse Using Opioid Cue panel (time frame: Day 1, 6 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jun 2018.