A randomised single blind sham controlled trial to evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tobacco craving among opioid dependent smokers maintained on Buprenorphine

Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non invasive neuromodulatory technique whose role is being currently explored in recent studies from western countries, among subjects with nicotine dependence to test its  effect on reducing craving to smoke and reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked.The current study is a randomised, single blind, parallel group sham controlled trial with primary objective to evaluate the effect of Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tobacco craving among 30 opioid dependent adult male smokers who have been stabilised on Tablet Buprenorphine for opioid dependence for at least 3 months. The study will be conducted at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and Community clinics of NDDTC. The primary outcomes that will be measured in this study are 1) Baseline tobacco craving by Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges and 2),. Cue induced tobacco craving by Visual Analog Scale. The secondary objectives of the study are 1) To find the effect of tDCS on cigarette/beedi consumption among opioid dependent smokers maintained on Buprenorphine maintenance for at least 3 months and 2) To find the association of socio-demographic data and clinical parameters like severity of nicotine dependence, motivation to stop smoking, etc. with change in craving and tobacco consumption due to  tDCS among opioid dependent smokers maintained on Buprenorphine maintenance for at least 3 months. Socio demographic data will be assessed using semi-structured proforma. Severity of nicotine dependence will be assessed using Fagerstrom’s test for nicotine dependence. Motivation to stop smoking will be assessed using motivation to stop scale.