Cranial Electrotherapy for Anxiety Disorders
Palo Alto (17 mi)Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May be covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: N/A
Waitlist Available
Sponsor: Tufts University
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?This study investigates the potential of cranial electrotherapy stimulation to mitigate anxiety induced cognitive deficits
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for young adults aged 18-28 who experience anxiety that affects their thinking and memory. It's not suitable for those with a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.Inclusion Criteria
I am between 18 and 28 years old.
Exclusion Criteria
I have been diagnosed with a neurological or psychiatric disorder.
Treatment Details
The study tests cranial electrotherapy stimulation, which uses electrical currents to potentially ease anxiety-related cognitive issues, against a sham (fake) treatment for comparison.
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Experimental - No Induced AnxietyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will be administered a shock procedure in which they are exposed to safe electrical shock that will be gradually increase from (1) 30 milliseconds to (4) 80 milliseconds to an individual threshold that is uncomfortable but not painful. After this procedure, the shock belt will be turned off. Participants will be told they will not receive additional shocks during cognitive assessments.
Participants will be administered cranial electrotherapy stimulation with a frequency of .5 Hz and a current of 100 microamps during 30 minutes of cognitive assessments of task switching, inhibition (stroop), working memory (n-back), and processing speed (simple reaction time).
Group II: Experimental - Induced AnxietyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will be administered a shock procedure in which they are exposed to safe electrical shock that will be gradually increase from (1) 30 milliseconds to (4) 80 milliseconds to an individual threshold that is uncomfortable but not painful. Participants will be told they may receive additional shocks for poor performance during cognitive assessments.
Participants will be administered cranial electrotherapy stimulation with a frequency of .5 Hz and a current of 100 microamps during 30 minutes of cognitive assessments of task switching, inhibition (stroop), working memory (n-back), and processing speed (simple reaction time).
Group III: Sham - No Induced AnxietyPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Participants will be administered a shock procedure in which they are exposed to safe electrical shock that will be gradually increase from (1) 30 milliseconds to (4) 80 milliseconds to an individual threshold that is uncomfortable but not painful. After this procedure, the shock belt will be turned off. Participants will be told they will not receive additional shocks during cognitive assessments.
Participants will be administered sham cranial electrotherapy stimulation with no current during 30 minutes of cognitive assessments of task switching, inhibition (stroop), working memory (n-back), and processing speed (simple reaction time).
Group IV: Sham - Induced AnxietyPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Participants will be administered a shock procedure in which they are exposed to safe electrical shock that will be gradually increase from (1) 30 milliseconds to (4) 80 milliseconds to an individual threshold that is uncomfortable but not painful. Participants will be told they may receive additional shocks for poor performance during cognitive assessments.
Participants will be administered sham cranial electrotherapy stimulation with no current during 30 minutes of cognitive assessments of task switching, inhibition (stroop), working memory (n-back), and processing speed (simple reaction time).
Find a clinic near you
Research locations nearbySelect from list below to view details:
Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
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Who is running the clinical trial?
Tufts UniversityLead Sponsor