Alpha Modulation via transcranial alternating current stimulation in patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a realistic environment: a VR-based study

Not Applicable

• Conditions: F90; Hyperkinetic disorders

• Registration Number: DRKS00022927
• Lead Sponsor: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Brief Summary

Frequency analyses revealed a significant power increase in the alpha band after both interventions. Despite a trend toward an interaction effect, this alpha power increase was, however, not significantly higher after active stimulation compared to sham stimulation. For the other measures, some additional pre-post effects were found, which were not intervention-related. In sum, our study cannot provide clear evidence for a tACS-induced increase in alpha power in adult ADHD patients, and thus no stimulation related improvement of attention parameters. We provide further recommendations for the future investigation of tACS as a potential ADHD treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-12-17
• Study Completion: 2021-07-30
• Results First Posted: 2024-01-12
• Last Update Posted: 19 August 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Complete
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

Age between 18-60 years,
Normal or corrected eyesight,
Fulfillment of DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD

Exclusion Criteria

Serious psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and/or serious affective disorders,
Antisocial personality disorder,
Moderate/serious substance use disorder,
Serious organic diseases, epilepsy,
Seizure disorder in the family,
Skin diseases/open wounds on the head,
Metal in the brain/skull area,
Pregnancy,
Bald head or dreadlocks,
Insufficient command of the german language

Study & Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Performance in the continuous performance test (CPT) during exposure to virtual-reality (i.a. omission and commission errors, reaction time variability); Comparison before and after the respective intervention (Pre-/post comparison).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
EEG-data, Eyetracking-data