Beta-band brain stimulation to reduce impulsive self-injury in teens
The Impact of Beta-band Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) on Impulse Inhibition in Adolescents With Non-suicidal Self-injury
NA · Anhui Medical University · NCT07152925
This trial will try twice-daily beta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation versus sham in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury to see if it reduces self-harm episodes and impulsivity and is safe.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 22 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Anhui Medical University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Hefei, Anhui) |
| Trial ID | NCT07152925 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional trial compares active beta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with sham stimulation in adolescents who meet DSM-5 criteria for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Participants receive two stimulation sessions per day, four hours apart, for seven consecutive days (14 sessions total), with clinical scales, behavioral tasks, and eye-tracking performed before and after the intervention. Self-injury episodes and any adverse reactions are recorded continuously, and cognitive and medical screening (e.g., MoCA, neurological history) determine eligibility. The primary outcomes focus on changes in impulse inhibition and the safety/tolerability of beta-band tACS.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are right-handed adolescents aged 12–18 who meet DSM-5 criteria for NSSI with at least five documented episodes and at least one incident in the past month, have sufficient education and normal or corrected binocular vision, and can participate with guardian consent.
Not a fit: Patients with prior suicide attempts, significant neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, brain surgery, intracranial metal), severe psychiatric comorbidity or substance use disorder, MoCA score below 26, or who cannot attend daily visits are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, beta-band tACS could provide a short, noninvasive method to reduce impulsivity and the frequency of self-injury in adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: Small studies of noninvasive brain stimulation (tDCS/tACS) have shown mixed but occasionally promising effects on impulsivity and mood, while beta-band tACS specifically for adolescent NSSI remains a relatively novel and unproven approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\) Meet the proposed diagnostic criteria for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), with ≥5 documented self-injury episodes and at least one incident within the past month as assessed by the Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Questionnaire (ANSAQ); 2) Aged 12-18 years; 3) Right-handed; 4) Possess formal education experience sufficient to comprehend experimental protocols; 5) Normal or corrected-to-normal binocular visual acuity; 6) Voluntarily participate with legal guardians providing written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \< 26; 2) History of suicide attempt(s); 3) Medical history of epilepsy, brain surgery, intracranial tumors, metal implants in the skull, or clinically significant head trauma; 4) History of substance use disorder, brain injury, severe somatic diseases, psychiatric disorders, or comorbid DSM-5 psychiatric conditions; 5) Prior receipt of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) within the past 3 months
Where this trial is running
Hefei, Anhui
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University — Hefei, Anhui, China (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Meiling Wang, bachelor
- Email: 1605280093@qq.com
- Phone: +86 136 4707 0027
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Depression Disorders, Non-suicidal Self-injury, Depression, non-suicidal self-injury, transcranial alternating current stimulation