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Transcranial direct current stimulation associated with physical exercise in smokers on craving

Not Applicable
Conditions
F172
Tobacco Use Disorder
Registration Number
RBR-4dh99pj
Lead Sponsor
niversidade Federal de Alagoas
Brief Summary

Chronic exposure to nicotine is related to low activity in the prefrontal cortex and insular hyperactivity in smokers. Therefore, addiction has been the target of experimental studies in aerobic exercise (AE) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of AE and anodal tDCS at F4 and cathodal at T3 on craving, motivation to change smoking behaviour (MCSB) and brain reactivity (BR) in smokers. The sample consisted of 41 chronic smokers distributed into four groups: tDCS (G1), AE (G2), tDCS combined with AE (G3) and sham tDCS combined with AE (G4). All volunteers underwent 5 consecutive sessions of the intended intervention. Before starting the intervention protocol and after the last intervention session, the volunteers answered questionnaires and underwent an electroencephalogram exam, to evaluate the variables investigated. The results demonstrated that AE, when associated with active tDCS, was effective in promoting a reduction in craving, cigarette consumption, and BR during exposure to smoking cues, in addition to increasing MCSB. Therefore, only when associated with AE, tDCS was able to modulate positive effects on smoking.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Data analysis completed
Sex
Not specified
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria

Being male or female; being addicted to nicotine for more than 2 years; be between 25 and 55 years old

Exclusion Criteria

Substance abuse or dependence other than nicotine dependence; diagnosis of mental disorder, epilepsy, seizures, delirium tremens, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; use of psychotropic medication; being in treatment to stop smoking; have any contraindication to electrical brain stimulation procedures, such as electronic implants or metal implants in the head; being in a gestational state; present physical and/or physiological problems that interfere with participation in a moderate-intensity physical exercise program; present moderate or high risk for physical exercise

Study & Design

Study Type
Intervention
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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