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RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

The Effects of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Treatment Adherence in Schizophrenia

The Effects of Adjunctive Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Treatment Adherence in Schizophrenia

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This study seeks to explore the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive method of brain stimulation, as an adjunctive treatment to improve antipsychotic medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). The investigators hypothesize that 20 sessions of tDCS will improve medication nonadherence in patients with SCZ.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Male or female participants of any race or ethnicity 2. Inpatients or outpatients ≥18 years of age 3. DSM-V diagnosis of SCZ or schizoaffective disorder 4. Capable of consenting to participate in the research study 5. On a stable dose of antipsychotic drug and other concomitant medications for at least 2 months, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. Unwilling or incapable to consent to the study based on the MacArthur Test of Competence 2. Unstable medical or any concomitant major medical or neurological illness, including a history of seizures 3. Acute suicidal or homicidal ideation 4. Formal thought disorder rating ≥3 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) P2 conceptual disorganization item 5. DSM-V substance dependence (except caffeine and nicotine) within 1 month of entering the study\* 6. Positive urine drug screen except for cannabis/marijuana at the screening visit 7. Metal implants or pacemaker precluding an MRI scan or other contraindications to MRI (eg., claustrophobia) 8. Pregnancy 9. Score \< 32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III - Substance misuse: In addition to impaired insight, substance misuse is one of the principle contributors to medication nonadherence. To minimize the possibility of its influence, participants with a DSM-V diagnosis of substance dependence within 1 month of entering the study or a positive urine drug test (except for cannabis/marijuana) at the screening visit will be excluded. Substance use and urine drug screens will be assessed at subsequent study visits. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female participants of any race or ethnicity 2. Inpatients or outpatients ≥18 years of age 3. DSM-V diagnosis of SCZ or schizoaffective disorder 4. Capable of consenting to participate in the research study 5. On a stable dose of antipsychotic drug and other concomitant medications for at least 2 months, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unwilling or incapable to consent to the study based on the MacArthur Test of Competence 2. Unstable medical or any concomitant major medical or neurological illness, including a history of seizures 3. Acute suicidal or homicidal ideation 4. Formal thought disorder rating ≥3 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) P2 conceptual disorganization item 5. DSM-V substance dependence (except caffeine and nicotine) within 1 month of entering the study\* 6. Positive urine drug screen except for cannabis/marijuana at the screening visit 7. Metal implants or pacemaker precluding an MRI scan or other contraindications to MRI (eg., claustrophobia) 8. Pregnancy 9. Score \< 32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III * Substance misuse: In addition to impaired insight, substance misuse is one of the principle contributors to medication nonadherence. To minimize the possibility of its influence, participants with a DSM-V diagnosis of substance dependence within 1 month of entering the study or a positive urine drug test (except for cannabis/marijuana) at the screening visit will be excluded. Substance use and urine drug screens will be assessed at subsequent study visits.

Treatments Being Tested

OTHER

Active TDCS

Participants will receive active TDCS stimulation.

OTHER

Sham TDCS

Participants will receive sham TDCS stimulation.

Locations (1)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada