Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Hallucinations

Overseen By Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Substance abuse, Pregnancy, Head injury, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 1 week

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a noninvasive treatment called transcranial electrical stimulation can reduce hallucinations. Hallucinations, which can affect the senses by causing individuals to hear or see things that aren't there, are common in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The trial includes two groups: one will receive the actual treatment, and the other will receive a placebo (inactive treatment) for comparison. Individuals actively experiencing hallucinations and who haven't recently used similar brain stimulation treatments might be suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding new treatment possibilities for hallucinations.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this technique is safe for treating hallucinations?

Previous studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is safe and well-tolerated. Research indicates that tDCS does not cause serious side effects and is considered a safe, non-invasive method. Most people experience only mild sensations, such as tingling or itching on the skin where the electrodes are placed. No reports of serious harmful effects from using tDCS exist. Additionally, it has been used as an adjunct treatment for symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia. Overall, evidence suggests that tDCS is a safe option for those considering joining a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about transcranial electrical stimulation for hallucinations because it offers a non-invasive approach that directly targets brain activity. Unlike traditional medications that alter brain chemistry, this technique uses mild electrical currents to stimulate specific brain regions, potentially reducing hallucinations without the side effects associated with drugs. Additionally, this method could provide quicker symptom relief, as it involves short, targeted sessions over just a few days, making it a promising alternative to longer-term medication regimens.

What evidence suggests that transcranial electrical stimulation is effective for hallucinations?

Research has shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), one of the treatments studied in this trial, can significantly reduce auditory hallucinations. A review of several studies found a clear decrease in these hallucinations following tDCS treatment. Other studies have demonstrated that tDCS helps with both positive and negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia, including reducing auditory hallucinations. Additionally, tDCS has improved memory and overall quality of life. Evidence indicates that tDCS is a safe and effective way to treat symptoms of psychotic disorders. These findings suggest that tDCS could help reduce hallucinations, especially when other treatments have not been effective. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Paulo Lizano, MD PhD

Principal Investigator

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18-50 who are currently experiencing hallucinations. It's not suitable for those with recent substance abuse, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people with significant head injuries, intellectual disabilities, metal implants in the body (especially in the head), or a history of seizures.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently experiencing hallucinations.

Proficient in English

Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

You have an intellectual disability according to the DSM-V guidelines.

I have a history of seizures.

You have metal in your body that cannot be taken out, especially near your head.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either active tDCS or sham stimulation to the rSTS for 5 days, with two 20-minute sessions each day

1 week

10 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychosis symptoms and other outcomes

1 month

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Transcranial Electrical Stimulation

Trial Overview The study tests Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) targeted at the right superior temporal sulcus (rSTS) to see if it can improve brain activity and reduce hallucinations in psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active Stimulation with TDCS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

10 tDCS; Two, twenty-minute sessions of tDCS to the rSTS for 5 days (10 total sessions).

Group II: SHAM Stimulation Placebo Group 1 Intervention

10 passive sham control; Two, twenty-minute sessions of passive sham control to the rSTS for a 30 second ramped up and down at the beginning and end of the 20 min period for 5 days (10 total sessions).

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic Pain
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Research Use for Various Conditions Including Hallucinations

Approved in European Union as Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for:

• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Research Use for Various Conditions Including Hallucinations

Approved in Canada as Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for:

• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Research Use for Various Conditions Including Hallucinations

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

872

Recruited

12,930,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 19 schizophrenia patients, add-on High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) significantly reduced persistent auditory hallucinations after 5 days of treatment, indicating its potential efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.

The use of a 2-mA cathodal current on the left temporo-parietal junction suggests that HD-tDCS may offer more targeted neuromodulation compared to conventional tDCS, warranting further research into its safety and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-definition transcranial direct current simulation (HD-tDCS) for persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Sreeraj, VS., Dinakaran, D., Parlikar, R., et al.[2019]

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive treatment that has been suggested as a safe option for reducing auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia, but the evidence is currently limited.

A systematic review of three studies involving 87 patients found inconsistent results and a low overall level of evidence, indicating that more high-quality research with larger sample sizes is necessary to determine the true efficacy of tDCS for this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Auditory Hallucinations: A Systematic Review. Li, H., Wang, Y., Jiang, J., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 1,019 participants across 4 sites, adverse events (AEs) following multiple sessions of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) were found to be influenced more by factors like testing site and session number rather than the stimulation itself, suggesting a good safety profile for repeated use.

The effectiveness of blinding procedures was found to be less reliable for tDCS and tACS compared to tRNS, indicating a need for improved blinding methods, especially when using higher stimulation intensities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blinding efficacy and adverse events following repeated transcranial alternating current, direct current, and random noise stimulation. Sheffield, JG., Ramerpresad, S., Brem, AK., et al.[2022]

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be an effective treatment for patients with schizophrenia who experience severe auditory hallucinations that do not respond to traditional antipsychotic medications, based on evidence from a well-conducted randomized trial and several case reports.

tDCS has been safely administered at current intensities of 1-3 mA for 20-30 minutes in once- to twice-daily sessions for up to 3 years, showing no apparent adverse effects, making it a promising noninvasive option for these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcranial direct current stimulation for refractory auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Andrade, C.[2013]

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is generally considered safe, but there are concerns that it could lead to significant negative effects in healthy individuals.

The scientific community needs to be alerted about the potential risks of tDCS, emphasizing the importance of protecting healthy volunteers from possible harm.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of transcranial direct current stimulation in healthy participants. Boccard-Binet, S., Sen, A.[2021]

In a preliminary study of ten patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (hf-tRNS) significantly reduced auditory hallucinations by an average of 36.1%, indicating its potential efficacy as a noninvasive treatment.

The study involved 10 sessions of hf-tRNS targeting specific brain areas, suggesting that this method may offer a promising alternative to conventional treatments, although further sham-controlled studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Frequency Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation for Auditory Hallucinations of Schizophrenia: A Case Series. Mondino, M., Janin, D., Galvao, F., et al.[2023]

A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials involving 329 schizophrenia patients found that active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) did not show a significant overall advantage over sham stimulation for reducing auditory hallucinations.

However, when tDCS was administered twice daily or for 10 or more sessions, it demonstrated a significant improvement in auditory hallucination symptoms, suggesting that specific treatment parameters are crucial for efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjunctive tDCS for treatment-refractory auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled studies. Jiang, WL., Cai, DB., Sun, CH., et al.[2022]

Microdermabrasion significantly reduced skin resistance by about 32%, allowing for higher doses of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) without increasing skin sensations or device limitations.

The study found that while microdermabrasion increased perceived sensations slightly when not combined with sonication, overall, it enabled safer and more effective delivery of tDCS by lowering the voltage needed to achieve the same current.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Microdermabrasion facilitates direct current stimulation by lowering skin resistance. Chhatbar, PY., Liu, S., Ramakrishnan, V., et al.[2023]

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and noninvasive method that has been shown to effectively reduce persistent auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

The study highlights that tDCS has a differential impact on auditory hallucinations compared to other positive symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in patients who exhibit heightened attention to their hallucinations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Right-sided Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Attentional Salience of Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia. Dinakaran, D., Parlikar, R., Sreeraj, VS., et al.[2020]

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) significantly reduced the severity of auditory verbal hallucinations in 30 patients with schizophrenia, showing a mean reduction of 31% compared to sham stimulation, with effects lasting up to 3 months.

tDCS also improved other symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly negative and positive symptoms, indicating its potential as a treatment for medication-refractory cases, despite the study's small sample size.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for hallucinations in schizophrenia. Brunelin, J., Mondino, M., Gassab, L., et al.[2022]

Low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is considered safe, with no serious adverse events reported in over 18,000 sessions across various populations, including healthy individuals and patients with neurological or psychiatric conditions.

While moderate adverse events like skin burns from tDCS are rare, mild adverse events such as headaches and fatigue are more common, and the safety profile is consistent across different age groups and vulnerable populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low intensity transcranial electric stimulation: Safety, ethical, legal regulatory and application guidelines. Antal, A., Alekseichuk, I., Bikson, M., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11886339/

Therapeutic efficacy of transcranial direct current ... The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in auditory hallucination scores following tDCS treatment (weighted mean difference: -2.18, 95% ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201820305050

The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ... tDCS was effective in improving positive symptoms, negative symptoms and auditory hallucination in schizophrenia.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41537-025-00647-5

Investigating the effects of transcranial direct current ... Clinical measures evaluated psychopathology, depression, and quality of life. Anodal tDCS significantly improved working memory performance ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02661347

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Hallucinations ... The investigators hypothesize that risperidone plus tDCS is associated with a faster and more robust decrease in auditory hallucinations compared to risperidone ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2752388

Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Direct Current ... Conclusions and Relevance Transcranial direct current stimulation was effective and safe in ameliorating negative symptoms in patients with ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5007190/

Safety of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence ... Safety is here operationally defined by, and limited to, the absence of evidence for a Serious Adverse Effect, the criteria for which are rigorously defined.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5434287/

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for ... There are several case reports showing a positive effect from tDCS on auditory hallucinations and some published reports also show tDCS alleviating negative ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187620182500214X

Asian Journal of Psychiatry tDCS is a non-invasive, safe, and well-tolerated technique that applies direct current (1–2 mA) using bio-conducting electrodes (with at least one electrode ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04222582

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on ... A phase of research to describe clinical trials that gather more information about a drug's safety and effectiveness by studying different ...