NCT01282827

Paraorbital-Occipital Electric Stimulation in Patients With Optic Neuropathy (BCT_optnerve)

Paraorbital-occipital Alternating Electric Current Stimulation in Patients With Optic Neuropathy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Magdeburg · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Non-invasive brain stimulation can increase cortical excitability in the visual system, but it is not known if this is of clinical value. The investigators now assessed if repetitive, transcranial alternating current stimulation (rtACS) can improve visual field size in patients with optic nerve damage. The investigators hypothesized that rtACS would improve visual functions with the defective visual field sectors of the visual field (primary outcome measure).

Detailed description

exploratory, randomized, controlled study

Conditions

• Visual Impairment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	rtACS (verum condition)	Repetitive, transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) was applied with a multi-channel device generating weak current pulses in predetermined firing bursts of 2 to 9 pulses. The amplitude of each current pulse was below 1000 microA. Current intensity was individually adjusted according to how well patients perceived phosphenes, i.e. any sensation of flickering light in response to the rtACS stimulation.
DEVICE	placebo stimulation	a clicking sound was presented and the same electrodes montage set-up was used during rtACS and placebo stimulation, except that placebo patients received no current (stimulator turned off).

Timeline

• Start date: 2006-11-01
• Primary completion: 2010-03-01
• Completion: 2010-03-01
• First posted: 2011-01-25
• Last updated: 2021-01-15

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Germany