Telehealth-Delivered tDCS for Cannabis Addiction Recovery: The C.A.R.E.S. (Cannabis Addiction Recovery Enhancement Stimulation) Initiative
NYU Langone Health
Summary
The purpose of this sham-controlled pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a one-month intervention consisting of 20 home-based active or sham RS-tDCS sessions paired with audio track guided mindfulness meditation practice in otherwise healthy adults seeking to reduce cannabis use in the context of cannabis use disorder (CUD).
Eligibility
- Age range
- 22–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 22-65 years (inclusive) 2. Currently meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for CUD, as determined by DSM-V criteria (M.I.N.I) 3. Positive for cannabis on the 11-COOH-THC single panel urine test 4. Seeking treatment to reduce or discontinue cannabis use (Marijuana Ladder ranged between 5-8 \[inclusive\]) 5. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score \< 35 (minimal to moderate distress) 6. Wide Range Achievement Test-5(WRAT-5) score ≥ 85 7. Ability to use mobile devices 8. Fluent in English or Spanish Exclusion Criter…
Interventions
- DeviceActive Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds), provide constant current throughout the session (19 minutes), and then ramp down (for 30 seconds) at the end.
- DeviceSham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds) followed by a ramp down (30 seconds), with no current delivery for 18 minutes, and then ramp up (for 30 seconds) and down (for 30 seconds) at the end.
- BehavioralMindfulness meditation
Participants will follow an audio track for guided mindfulness during the stimulation.
Location
- NYU Langone HealthNew York, New York