Actively Recruiting
tDCS Plus Varenicline for Smoking Cessation
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2025-08-12
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
177 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Lead Sponsor
C
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) plus varenicline is an effective, safe and accessible treatment option for smoking cessation. The main questions this trial aims to answer are: 1. Does active tDCS plus varenicline improve short-term and long-term smoking abstinence rates compared to sham tDCS plus varenicline? 2. Are the safety profiles between active tDCS plus varenicline and sham tDCS plus varenicline different? The tDCS treatment schedule includes 10 daily sessions for the first 2 weeks (M to F), followed by 5 single bi-weekly booster sessions for the remainder of the treatment period. Participants will come in-person for two follow-up sessions to assess smoking behaviour at 6- and 12-months post-treatment.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
tDCS Plus Varenicline for Smoking Cessation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to provide informed written consent
- Willing to follow all study procedures
- Age between 18 and 85 years
- Smoke at least 8 cigarettes daily
- Seeking treatment for tobacco dependence
- Willing to attend clinic appointments for two consecutive weeks, Monday through Friday
- Generally healthy without major illness affecting study participation
You will not qualify if you...
- Used smoking cessation medications (e.g., bupropion, varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy, cytisine) in the past 3 months
- Regular use of nicotine products other than cigarettes (e.g., e-cigarettes)
- Unstable psychiatric illness affecting participation or compliance
- History of seizures or epilepsy
- Lifetime history of concussions or head injuries
- Currently pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Have pacemakers or implanted electrical devices
- Metal embedded in the skull
- Skin lesions, open wounds, or bruising at stimulation sites
- Contraindications to varenicline use such as alcohol dependence, kidney problems, or known hypersensitivity
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1P7
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Laurie A Zawertailo, PhD
CONTACT
K
Kameron Iturralde, BSc
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here