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Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of High Definition tDCS Based on dmPFC in the Intervention of Chronic Insomnia

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Chronic Insomnia
Interventions
Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation
Device: transcranial direct current stimulation
Registration Number
NCT06290492
Lead Sponsor
WANG KAI
Brief Summary

To investigate the intervention effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on subjective and objective insomnia symptoms and daytime function of chronic insomnia patients.

Detailed Description

Fifty patients with chronic insomnia disorder diagnosed by the Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment Guidelines for Adult Insomnia (2017) were recruited from the first affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. After meeting the inclusion criteria and obtaining informed consent, each participant will complete the subjective measures consisting of sleep questionnaires, polysomnography (PSG) and tDCS treatment conducted by trained researchers at the Neurology Department of Anhui Medical University. All the participants were randomized (1:1) to receive "active" or "sham" treatment protocol. The anode electrode was placed on the DMPFC (Fz) surrounded by four cathodes with a 1cm diameter (FPz, F3, Cz, and F4). Each participant received 30 min of tDCS stimulation once daily for 10 consecutive days. The stimulation direct current magnitude was set at 2 mA in the active group. In the sham intervention phase, the sensation was simulated by applying a 30s rising current until 2 mA was reached, with a 30s immediate decline at the beginning and end of each phase.

At the beginning and after a 10-day intervention, subjective measures consisting of sleep questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), were assessed. The Flinders Fatigue Scale (FFS) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to assess daytime sleepiness. Additionally, the HAMA and HAMD were used synchronously for emotional assessment. Afterwards, they were unblinded by the study coordinator.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
45
Inclusion Criteria
  1. age between 15 and 65 years,
  2. diagnosed with chronic insomnia based on the Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment Guidelines for Adult Insomnia (2017),
  3. no previous application of any insomnia pharmacological therapy for at least one week before baseline visit.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. diagnosis of other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome, REM behaviour disorder, and restless legs syndrome,
  2. history of head trauma or presence of serious organic diseases,
  3. presence of comorbid anxiety or depression, as assessed by a Hamilton Anxiety Scale [HAMA] score of 17 or Hamilton Depression Scale [HAMD] score of 14.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
sham stimulationsham transcranial direct current stimulationIn the sham intervention phase, the sensation was simulated by applying a 30-s rising current until 2 mA was reached, with a 30-s immediate decline at the beginning and end of each phase.
real stimulationtranscranial direct current stimulationParticipants will receive active HD-tDCS daily for 10 consecutive days. The anode electrode was placed on the DMPFC (Fz) surrounded by four cathodes with a 1cm diameter (FPz, F3, Cz, and F4). The stimulation direct current magnitude was set at 2 mA with a 30-s immediate decline at the beginning and end of each phase.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
daytime sleepiness assessed by the FFSbefore and after 10-day intervention

the Fatigue Severity Scale (FFS) is a 7-item scale to measure daytime sleepiness, where each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 3. The FFS total score ranges from 0 to 31, the higher the score indicates the more serious daytime sleepiness.

subjective sleep quality assessed by the ISIbefore and after 10-day intervention

The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a 7-item scale to measure insomnia symptoms, where each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 4. The ISI total score ranges from 0 to 28, The higher the score indicates the more worse sleep quality.

daytime sleepiness assessed by the ESSbefore and after 10-day intervention

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a 8-item scale to measure daytime sleepiness, where each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 3. The ESS total score ranges from 0 to 23, the higher the score indicates the more serious daytime sleepiness.

subjective sleep quality assessed by the PSQIbefore and after 10-day intervention

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) consist of 18 items divided into 7 dimensions, such as sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders and daytime dysfunction. The PSQI total score ranges from 0 to 21, the higher the score indicates the more worse sleep quality.

objective sleep quality assessed by the PSGbefore and after 10-day intervention

the change of objective sleep quality assessed by polysomnography(PSG) will constitute the major research outcome measure, to assess response to tDCS. Recorded details included data on SOL(sleep onset latency), TST(total sleep time), WASO(wake after sleep onset), EF(sleep Efficiency), and percentages of slow-wave sleep, stage 2 sleep, stage 1 sleep, and REM sleep.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
emotional symptoms assessed by the HAMAbefore and after 10-day intervention

The HAMA is a 14-item scale to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms, where each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 4. The HAMA total score ranges from 0 to 56, with lower scores indicating less anxiety symptoms.

emotional symptoms assessed by the HAMDbefore and after 10-day intervention

The HAMD is a clinic ian-administered depression assessment and consists of 17 items with a total score range from 0 to 54. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Anhui Medical University

🇨🇳

Hefei, Anhui, China

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