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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cigarette Addiction

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Addiction
Interventions
Other: Placebo
Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Registration Number
NCT02146014
Lead Sponsor
University of Brasilia
Brief Summary

Tobacco addiction is treatable with behavioral and pharmacological means, but results are often less than optimal. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a new non-invasive technique that applies weak electrical currents through the skull and has been shown to alter the excitability of certain brain areas. It is currently being tried in disorders where there is abnormal brain excitability, such as epilepsy and depression. A few studies have also been able to diminish drug craving, suggesting that brain excitability might also be altered in drug addiction.

This study aims at non-invasively changing the excitability of certain brain areas-a procedure called neuromodulation- in order to help smokers quit smoking more easily.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • smokers
Exclusion Criteria
  • use of psychoactive drugs
  • age above 70

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sham tDCSPlaceboThese subjects will receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (placebo)
Transcranial Direct Current StimulationTranscranial Direct Current StimulationThese subjects will receive real transcranial direct current stimulation.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Cigarette CravingBefore and 7 days after treatment
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Motivation to Quit SmokingBefore and 7 days after intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital Universitário de Brasília- HUB

🇧🇷

Brasília, DF, Brazil

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