Studying High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation HD-tACS to Treat Non-suicidal Self-injury in Adolescents Aged 12 to 18

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation HD-tACS on young patients aged 12 to 18 with Non-suicidal Self-injury NSSI, as diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria. This trial aims to understand how HD-tACS affects self-injurious behaviors and the underlying brain mechanisms using magnetic resonance imaging MRI. The study is conducted by Anhui Medical University and involves clinical evaluations and brain imaging before and after treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either active HD-tACS or sham HD-tACS. The active treatment involves placing electrodes on specific scalp locations and delivering 14 sessions of 2-mA current for 20 minutes twice daily over 7 consecutive days, with the current frequency set to individual alpha frequency IAF. The sham group receives the same electrode placement but only brief stimulation during ramp-up and ramp-down periods, without continuous current. Both groups undergo neuropsychological assessments and multimodal MRI scans before and after treatment. During the study, participants complete clinical questionnaires assessing self-injury, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms, along with MRI scans including 3D-T1, resting-state fMRI, and diffusion tensor imaging. Follow-ups are conducted one and two months post-treatment to monitor symptoms. The main outcomes measured are changes in the frequency and impulsivity of self-injurious behaviors, along with changes in depression, anxiety, and physical symptom scores. This study lasts from screening through treatment and includes post-treatment follow-up assessments.

Intervention Effect of High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (HD-tACS) on Non-suicidal Self-injury (NSSI)