Back to search results

TANGO Study: Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Training for Alcohol Use Disorder

This study, called TANGO, is exploring a new way to help people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) stay sober. It combines a special brain stimulation device called TaskFlow Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TaskFlow-TES) with computer-based cognitive training that focuses on improving working memory. Researchers want to see if this combination can help you maintain abstinence and improve your executive functioning (skills like planning and problem-solving). You might be able to join if you are 18 to 65 years old, have been diagnosed with AUD, are currently abstinent from alcohol, and plan to stay in the Lodging Plus program. The study will measure success by looking at relapse rates and how long people stay abstinent up to four months after the intervention, as well as changes in cognitive test scores. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 40 participants. It is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive specific treatments.
What's involved
You would receive 20-minute sessions of either active or sham (inactive) TaskFlow-TES brain stimulation, combined with computer-based working memory training. You must intend to remain in the Lodging Plus program until the end of the intervention.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your relapse rates, abstinence period length, and cognitive scores will be measured for up to four months after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05062369

Tdcs And cogNitive traininG cOmbined for AUD (TANGO)

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
University of Minnesota
~40 participants
Updated 2025-10-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:TaskFlow Transcranial Electrical Stimulation deviceExecutive Function Focused Cognitive Training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Difference in Timeline Followback Questionnaire relapse rates
Measured over Up to 4 months post-intervention
+9 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder
Addiction

Explore related trials

Alcohol use disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Jazmin Camchong, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Univeristy of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Who to contact

Jazmin Camchong, PhD
[email protected]
(612) 842-8704
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria for AUD
Abstinent from alcohol use
Must have the intention to remain in the Lodging Plus program until the end of the intervention portion of the study.

Exclusion

Any medical condition or treatment with neurological sequelae (i.e. stroke, tumor, loss of consciousness\>30 min, HIV)
A head injury resulting in a skull fracture or a loss of consciousness exceeding 30 minutes (i.e., moderate or severe TBI)
Any contraindications for tDCS or MRI scanning (tDCS contraindication: history of seizures; MRI contraindications; metal implants, pacemakers or any other implanted electrical device, injury with metal, braces, dental implants, non-removable body piercings, pregnancy, breathing or moving disorder)
Any primary psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder); Participants with other treated and stable psychiatric disorders will be included
Presence of a condition that would render study measures difficult or impossible to administer or interpret
Primary current substance use disorder diagnosis on a substance other than alcohol except for caffeine or nicotine
Clinical evidence for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Left-handedness
Entrance to the treatment program under a court mandate

What this trial measures

  • Difference in Timeline Followback Questionnaire relapse ratesUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The Timeline Followback Questionnaire will be used to assess relapse status as a binary, (has or has not relapsed), at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months over the follow-up period. This is a measure of feasibility.

  • Difference in Timeline Followback Questionnaire abstinence period lengthUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The Timeline Followback Questionnaire will be used to assess length of abstinence period measured in days at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months over the follow-up period. This is a measure of feasibility.

  • Change in D-KEFS Trail Making (1-5) scoreUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The D-KEFS Trail Making (1-5) assessment will be used as a measure of cognitive performance pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, as a measure of generalization and durability, the D-KEFS Trail Making score will be assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at monthly follow-up visits. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-19, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive functioning. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in D-KEFS Color Word scoreUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The D-KEFS Color-Word Interference assessment will be used as a measure of cognitive performance pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, as a measure of generalization and durability, the D-KEFS Color Word score will be assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at monthly follow-up visits. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-19, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive functioning. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in Digit Span (WAIS IV) scoreUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The Digit Span (WAIS IV) assessment will be used as a measure of cognitive performance pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, as a measure of generalization and durability, the Digit Span (WAIS) score will be assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at monthly follow-up visits. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-19, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive functioning. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in D-KEFS Verbal Frequency scoreUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The D-KEFS Verbal Frequency assessment will be used as a measure of cognitive performance pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, as a measure of generalization and durability, the D-KEFS Verbal Frequency score will be assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at monthly follow-up visits. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-19, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive functioning. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in Digit Symbol (WAIS IV) scoreUp to 4 months post-intervention

    The Digit Symbol (WAIS IV) assessment, also known as Coding, will be used as a measure of cognitive performance pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, as a measure of generalization and durability, the Digit Symbol (WAIS) score will be assessed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at monthly follow-up visits. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-19, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive functioning. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in functional connectivityDay 3, Day 9, Day 17, and 1 month

    Participants will undergo MRI at rest and fMRI scan while conducting the N-back task pre-intervention, mid-intervention, after 10 tDCS interventions, and post-intervention. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Change in task-evoked functional magnetic resonance signalDay 3, Day 9, Day 17, and 1 month

    Participants will undergo MRI at rest and fMRI scan while conducting the N-back task pre-intervention, mid-intervention, after 10 tDCS interventions, and post-intervention. The unitless average difference will be reported.

  • Number of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) sessions completedDays 4-16

    The number of tDCS sessions completed will be reported as a unitless average value as a measure of feasibility.