Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Young Adults: Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- At-Home Stimulation
- Conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Sponsor
- Electromedical Products International, Inc.
- Enrollment
- 130
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) change
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last month
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this research study is to study cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) to determine its effects on symptoms of anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) between the ages of 18 - 21 years of age.
Detailed Description
This study examines (1) the efficacy of CES with the Alpha-Stim AID ® for the treatment of GAD in young adults (18-21 years of age) in a double-blind, sham-controlled parallel group single-site clinical trial of 130 participants. Participants will be randomized into receiving either active CES (at least 200uA, up to 500uA at 0.5Hz, 60 minutes daily for six weeks) or sham CES with the Alpha-Stim AID ® device at-home. Clinical assessments of anxiety symptoms are performed at Screening (for eligibility), Baseline, Follow-Up 1 (at completion of intervention, 6 weeks after initial stimulation), and Follow-Up 2 (12 weeks after initial stimulation). Additional assessments of depression symptoms and quality of life are included. Resting-state EEG will be collected at baseline and Follow-Up 1 (in up to 60 participants) for exploratory investigation of mechanism of action.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Capable of signing informed consent form.
- •Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study including refraining from changes to treatment unless medically indicated and communicated to the study team.
- •Aged 18 - 21 at time of screening visit.
- •Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- •At least mild-to-moderate symptom severity, as indicated by scores of 15 or higher on the clinician-administered HAM-A at the screening visit.
- •Concurrent psychiatric medications are allowed. Participants will be required to maintain a sable dose of medications, or remain medication free, for 2 weeks prior to the screening visit, except for antidepressants for which the period of stable dose is 4 weeks prior to screening visit. Concurrent psychotherapy is allowed.
- •People of reproductive potential must be willing to use effective contraception (evidence-based hormonal or barrier methods) for at least 1 month prior to the screening visit and agree to use such a method during study participation.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Time-frames are determined relative to the screening visit.
- •Current (any) or previous (\> 7 stimulation sessions in last 6 weeks) use of a CES device.
- •Inability to tolerate the required minimum stimulation amplitude (200 uA) during the initial device training at the baseline visit.
- •Experimental or clinical brain stimulation such as deep brain stimulation or transcranial magnetic stimulation for any indication (current or within 60 days prior to screening visit).
- •Implanted medical device that uses electricity anywhere in the body.
- •Diagnosis (based on MINI) of bipolar I or II (past or current), moderate or severe alcohol use disorder (within 12 months prior to screening visit), moderate or severe (non-alcohol) substance use disorder (within 12 months prior to screening visit), psychotic disorder (current or lifetime), major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar I with psychotic features, anorexia nervosa.
- •Epilepsy (current or history). History of febrile childhood seizures and non-epileptic seizures are allowed.
- •Pregnant or breast-feeding.
- •Enrollment in clinical trial for any condition (current or within 60 days prior to screening visit).
- •Hospitalization for any reason (current or past 2 weeks).
Arms & Interventions
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
Alpha-Stim AID ® is an FDA-cleared device for the treatment of anxiety that delivers CES through two earclip electrodes.
Intervention: At-Home Stimulation
Sham Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
The device for sham stimulation is physically identical and delivers a non-therapeutic dose of stimulation to replicate salient features of device usage.
Intervention: At-Home Stimulation
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) change
Time Frame: 42 days
Change in HAM-A between six-week follow-up (FU1) and baseline (D1); minimum value is 0, maximum value is 56. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Secondary Outcomes
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) change(84 days)
- Change in Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI)(84 days)
- Response/Remission of anxiety(84 days)
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Change(84 days)
- Generalized-Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Change(84 days)
- Change in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, short form (Q-LES-Q-SF)(84 days)
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Change(42 days)
- Generalized-Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Change(42 days)
- Response/Remission of anxiety(42 days)
- Change in Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI)(42 days)
- Change in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, short form (Q-LES-Q-SF)(42 days)