High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy

The Efficacy, Safety and Mechanism of High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) in the Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy

NA · Anhui Medical University · NCT06241963

This study is testing if a new brain stimulation treatment can help people with hard-to-control epilepsy feel better and improve their condition.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnhui Medical University (other)
Locations1 site (Hefei, Anhui)
Trial IDNCT06241963 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the clinical effects and safety of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in patients with refractory epilepsy. Participants will undergo a medical evaluation and receive either bilateral active, unilateral active, or sham HD-tDCS treatment over a series of sessions. The treatment aims to analyze its therapeutic mechanism through clinical assessments and neuroimaging techniques. The study will involve at least 90 participants randomized into different treatment groups at Anhui Medical University.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are right-handed individuals aged 18-50 with a clinical diagnosis of refractory epilepsy.

Not a fit: Patients with major neurological or mental illnesses, serious physical diseases, or contraindications for MRI or EEG may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new non-invasive option for managing refractory epilepsy.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with transcranial direct current stimulation approaches, but this specific application for refractory epilepsy is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of refractory epilepsy
* Right-handed and aged 18-50 years old and primary school education or above;
* No major neurological or mental illness, no head injury, alcohol dependence or drug dependence;
* During the experiment, the subjects did not smoke, drink, get sick and take psychotropic drugs, and there were no major life events that caused mood changes.

Exclusion Criteria:

* organic brain injury, neurological diseases or serious physical diseases;
* Have a history of substance abuse and drug dependence, or have used antipsychotic drugs in the past three months, and have serious suicidal tendencies;
* There are contraindications for MRI or EEG or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Where this trial is running

Hefei, Anhui

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, EEG, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Refractory Epilepsy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.