Home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Promote Social Communication and Behaviour in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title: Home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Promote Social Communication and Behaviour in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that can be delivered in a home setting. It is a safe and tolerable intervention that has shown promise for improving positive social communication and self-regulation in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children and youth with ASD will be randomized to At-home tDCS or sham control stimulation for 3 weeks. We will measure the effect of At-home tDCS on the brain mechanisms and clinical measures of social communication and self-regulation..

Clinical Trial Description

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that can be delivered in a home setting. It is a safe and tolerable intervention that has shown promise for improving positive social communication and self-regulation in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Previous studies have been limited by small and poorly represented samples, lack of experimental control, insufficient follow-up periods, inadequate blinding and the absence of neural outcome measures. Our project will collect pilot data on the effects of home-based tDCS on reducing disruptive behaviours in youth with ASD, in order to inform the design of a follow-up full-scale clinical trial. We will recruit youth with ASD who experience clinically significant difficulties with social communication and self-regulation. Participants will be randomized to tDCS or sham control stimulation for 3 weeks. We will measure the effect of tDCS on the brain mechanisms and clinical measures of social communication and self-regulation.. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

• NCT number: NCT06129058
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
• Contact: Trina Mitchell, PhD
• Phone: 416-425-6220
• Email: tmitchell@hollandbloorview.ca
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: October 20, 2023
• Completion date: September 30, 2025