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Slow Oscillatory Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Refractory Focal Epilepsy
Sponsor: The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Summary
This pilot study evaluated whether a type of non-invasive brain stimulation called slow-oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation (so-tDCS) can reduce seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Ten patients received 14 days of so-tDCS (2 mA, 1 Hz) for 20 minutes twice daily, guided by their individual seizure focus identified by EEG and MRI. Seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges were measured before, during, and up to 8 weeks after treatment. The study also assessed safety and tolerability. Results showed that so-tDCS significantly reduced seizure frequency, with the greatest effect occurring during the first week of treatment, and the benefit was sustained during follow-up. No serious adverse events were reported. These preliminary findings suggest that so-tDCS may be a safe and effective non-invasive option for refractory focal epilepsy, but larger sham-controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy.
Official title: Slow Oscillatory Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treating Refractory Focal Epilepsy
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
10
Start Date
2024-01-13
Completion Date
2024-10-31
Last Updated
2026-07-06
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Slow-oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation (so-tDCS)
1 Hz sinusoidal oscillatory current, 2 mA peak-to-peak, delivered via sponge electrodes (13.68 cm²) soaked in 0.9% saline. Cathode placed over individual epileptogenic zone (defined by MRI, FDG-PET, MEG, and scalp EEG). Reference anode placed at FP1 or FP2 (contralateral). Each session: 20 minutes with 20-second ramp-up/ramp-down. Two sessions per day, separated by a 20-minute rest period, for 14 consecutive days.
Locations (1)
The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China