NCT07152925

The Impact of Beta-band Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) on Impulse Inhibition in Adolescents With Non-suicidal Self-injury

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Anhui Medical University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 22 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This clinical trial aims to determine whether beta-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can improve impulse inhibition in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and to evaluate its safety. The primary questions it seeks to answer are: * Can beta-band tACS significantly reduce the frequency of self-injury and scores on impulsivity scales in adolescents with NSSI? * What discomfort or medical issues may participants experience during tACS intervention? Researchers will compare beta-band tACS with sham stimulation (a procedure that mimics the real stimulation without delivering effective current) to verify its efficacy. Participants will: * Receive two sessions of either tACS or sham stimulation daily, spaced 4 hours apart, for 7 consecutive days (14 sessions in total). * Undergo scale assessments, behavioral tasks, and eye-tracking tests before and after the intervention. * Record any self-injury episodes and adverse reactions, with continuous monitoring and psychological support provided by a professional team.

Conditions

• Depression Disorders
• Non-suicidal Self-injury

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Beta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation	Active beta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation: 20 Hz tACS delivered through a 4×1-ring high-definition electrode montage centered on left DLPFC (F3), 2 mA peak-to-peak, 100 % intensity, gradually ramped up over 30 s, maintained for 20 min, then ramped down over 30 s; two sessions per day with at least 4 h between sessions, repeated for 7 consecutive days (14 total sessions).
DEVICE	sham beta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation	Sham transcranial alternating current stimulation: identical 4×1-ring high-definition electrode montage centered on left DLPFC (F3), 2 mA peak-to-peak current ramped up over 30 s and immediately ramped down to 0 mA, followed by 19.5 min of no stimulation to match the 20-min session duration of active tACS; delivered twice daily (≥4 h apart) for 7 consecutive days (14 total sessions).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-03-01
• Primary completion: 2026-05-31
• Completion: 2026-05-31
• First posted: 2025-09-03
• Last updated: 2025-09-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China