RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07228182

Effect of High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Gambling Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

Shanghai Mental Health Center

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Jun 1, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Gambling Disorder

Summary

The investigators assume that High-intensity transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (HI-tACS) could improve gambling disorder patients' executive-control function by modulating abnormal neural activity, particularly gamma-band oscillations, which are closely associated with executive-control deficits. This study intends to validate the effect of HI-tACS treatment, which has been discovered in the previous pilot study. A three-month follow-up assessment will be conducted to test the changes in executive-control function and its underlying mechanism.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 60 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

Aged 18-60, male or female, with 9 or more years of education, and able to complete questionnaire evaluation and behavioral tests;
Meet DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders，DSM) diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder;
Have gambled for at least one year (at least once a week);
Normal vision and hearing, or within the normal range after correction;
Agree to cooperate in the follow-up evaluation;
No metal implantation in the head, no history of nerve problems or head injury, and no skin sensitivity.

Exclusion Criteria4

Have severe cognitive impairment, such as a history of head trauma, -cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, etc.;
Have used drugs promoting cognitive function in the last 6 months;
Have impaired intelligence (Intelligence Quotient<70);
Abuse or dependence of psychoactive substances (except nicotine) in the last 5 years.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

DEVICEHI-tACS

Three conductive electrodes are placed overhead. In the 10/20 international placement system, a 4.45 9.53 cm electrode is placed on the forehead corresponding to Fpz, Fp1 and Fp2. Two 3.18 3.81 cm electrodes are placed on the mastoid region of each side. The tACS stimulation waveform includes ramp-up and ramp-down periods of 180 and 12 s, respectively. The frequency of stimulation is 77.5Hz, and the current is 15mA.

DEVICESham stimulation

Three conductive electrodes are placed overhead. In the 10/20 international placement system, a 4.45 9.53 cm electrode is placed on the forehead corresponding to Fpz, Fp1 and Fp2. Two 3.18 3.81 cm electrodes are placed on the mastoid region of each side. The appearance of the above-mentioned equipment is identical to that of the real stimulation group devices, but it only simulates the electrical sensation produced at the beginning and end of stimulation.