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Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Tobacco Consumption

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Tobacco Use Disorder
Interventions
Device: tDCS procedure
Device: Sham procedure
Registration Number
NCT01930422
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Toulouse
Brief Summary

The primary purpose of the protocol is to evaluate the effect of repeated application for 5 consecutive days of a real tDCS compared to the application of a placebo tDCS (sham procedure) on the evolution of tobacco consumption in the short term between Day 1 and Day 5.

The study hypothesis is that a repeated application for 5 consecutive days of a real tDCS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region will reduce the craving induced causing a decreased of daily tobacco consumption between Day 1 and Day 5 which can persist at the final visit between Day 15 and Day 20.

Detailed Description

Smoking is a major public health problem and it is the leading cause of preventable death in the world. Care should include education, psychotherapy and treatments, but despite these therapeutics, the smoking cessation process is often characterized by relapses. The main risk factor for relapse is craving. Neurophysiological studies have provided evidence in the understanding of craving. This craving involves surface structures including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, accessible by neurostimulation. Repetitive neurostimulation applies on this structures involved in craving could therefore modulate it. Two non-invasive stimulation techniques exist: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The choice of tDCS is based on its ease of use, excellent tolerance, its better quality of placebo and low cost.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
34
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 18 to 60 years old
  • Smoking ≥ 5 years
  • Smoking ≥ 15 manufactured cigarettes per day or ≥ 10 rolled cigarettes per day
  • Fagerström test ≥ 5
  • Smokers who have at least an attempt to stop of minimum 7 days
  • Written informed consent signed by the patient
  • Affiliated to medical insurance
Exclusion Criteria
  • Co-addiction (cannabis, alcohol, other drugs)
  • HAD test: D ≥ 8; A + D ≥ 19
  • Treatment by nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline within 30 days prior inclusion
  • Neuropsychiatric disease, considered serious by the investigator
  • Psychotropic treatment (antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic)
  • Skin scalp dermatosis
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Positive pregnancy test.
  • Patient under guardianship, trusteeship or judicial protection
  • Patient in inclusion period for another clinical research protocol

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Real tDCStDCS procedureDirect transcranial electrical stimulation (tDCS procedure)
Placebo tDCSSham procedureSham procedure
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Relative change of individual salivary cotinine.Outcome measure is assessed at Day1 and Day5
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Relative change of individual salivary cotinineOutcome measure is assessed at Day5 and between Day15 and Day20.
Exhaled carbon monoxide.Outcome measure is assessed at day 0, day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5 and between day 15 and day 20.
Number of cigarettes smoked per dayOutcome measure is assessed at day 0, day1, day2, day3, day4, day5 and between day 15 and 20
Technical feasibility of outpatientOutcome measure is assessed between day 15 and 20.

The feasibility is assessed by the number of smokers following the entire protocol.

Measurement of cravingOutcome measure is assessed at Day1, day2, day3, day4, day5 and betwenn day 15 to day 20.

Measurement of craving from Day1 to Day5 and at the final visits assessed by a VAS: visual analogue scale from 0 (no urge to smoke at all) to 10 (intense desire compelling smoking) and the questionnaire called the 12-item French Tobacco Craving Questionnaire (FCTQ-12).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital, Toulouse

🇫🇷

Toulouse, Midi-Pyrénées, France

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