Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 4 to 14

tDCS for paediatric amblyopia

Official title: Effectiveness of tDCS in Paediatric Amblyopia.

Run by Universidad de Murcia · NCT07547670 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) can improve vision for children aged 4–14 with amblyopia who didn’t get enough help from patching.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages4 Years to 14 Years
SexAll
Enrollment100 (estimated)
SponsorUniversidad de Murcia
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Murcia)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 2, 2026
Main results expectedJune 1, 2026
Study endsAugust 31, 2029
Registry record updatedJuly 28, 2026
Trial IDNCT07547670 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Children aged 4–14 with strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia that has not adequately responded to patching per PEDIG criteria.

Probably not a fit

Children with ocular pathology, significant neurological or cranial conditions, or other contraindications may not benefit from tDCS.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blind trial investigates the safety and effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) when added to or compared with standard care in children with strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia that did not respond to patching. Participants will receive several sessions of tDCS, a sham control, and assessments of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis, with objective biomarkers from EEG and other measures. The study aims to determine if tDCS produces meaningful, lasting improvements and whether it can be a faster or complementary option to occlusion therapy. Outcomes include changes in vision and potential cortical neuroplastic changes, particularly relating to GABAergic activity in the visual cortex. Safety and tolerability will be closely monitored throughout.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, tDCS could provide an additional or faster option to improve vision in children with amblyopia who do not respond to patching.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pediatric data from the same team have shown improvements after three tDCS sessions, but broader, confirmatory results are needed.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged 4-14 years.
* Strabismic amblyopia resistant to patching (PEDIG criteria).
* Anisometropic amblyopia resistant to patching (PEDIG criteria).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ocular pathology.
* Nystagmus.
* Mental disability.
* Cognitive delay.
* Neurological problems incompatible with treatment.
* Pacemakers.
* Intracranial electrodes.
* Implanted defibrillators.
* Cranial pathologies.
* Cranial lesions.
* Withdrawal will occur upon adverse events, protocol deviation, refusal, or loss to follow-up.

Where it's running

  • University of Murcia
    Murcia, Spain
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.