Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
This study is looking at how multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with social learning tasks might affect adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or high autistic traits. Researchers want to see if active tDCS, which uses a mild electrical current to influence brain activity, improves social learning compared to a placebo (sham) tDCS. They will measure changes in emotional distress and social anxiety before and after each 5-day block of stimulation. You might be able to join if you are 18-35 years old, proficient in English, and have a diagnosis of ASD or high autistic traits. The study aims to enroll 20 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 20 participants. It uses a crossover design where each participant receives both active and sham tDCS.
- What's involved
- You will complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active tDCS and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break between the two blocks.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Emotional distress and social anxiety will be measured before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
At a glance
Conditions
NCT06495684
Where you'd take part
This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexicostudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.
Study leadership
- Bill Shuttleworth, Ph.D. · STUDY_DIRECTOR · University of New Mexico
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
What this trial measures
- Measure of Emotional Distress - AnxietyBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Item Bank v. 1.0 - Emotional Distress - Anxiety (PEDA) A change in PEDA scores corresponds to a change in emotional distress and anxiety. Each question on the PEDA provides a 5-point scale where lower scores mean a better outcome.
- Measure of Social AnxietyBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) The LSAS assesses the range of social interaction and performance situations that individuals with social anxiety may fear and/or avoid. Each two-part question of the LSAS provides a 4-point scale where lower scores mean a better outcome.
- Measure of Social Anxiety/AnxietyBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Vocal acoustic analysis measures changes in fundamental frequency (F0), which is an indicator of change in social anxiety/anxiety, where lower F0 means a better outcome.
- Measure of Social AnxietyBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Heart-Rate Variability (HRV) A change in HRV is an indicator of change in the level of social anxiety, where higher HRV means a better outcome.
- Measure of Social ImpairmentBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Social Responsiveness Scale - 2nd Edition (SRS-2) A self-report tool that quantifies social impairment and its severity associated with ASD. Lower SRS-2 scores mean a better outcome.
- Measure of EmpathyBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Empathy Quotient (EQ) A self-report measure that quantifies empathy. Higher EQ scores mean a better outcome.
- Measure of Prosodic AlignmentBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Vocal acoustic analysis measures the rate of prosodic alignment between speakers sharing in a conversation. Higher rates of prosodic alignment between speakers mean a better outcome.
- Measure of Emotion Expression EntrainmentBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Facial expression and gesture analysis measures the rate of emotion entrainment to others during conversation tasks. Increased rate of emotion entrainment means a better outcome.
- Measure of Social LearningBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Electroencephalography (EEG) spectral power for alpha (8-12Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) oscillations measures changes in social learning. Reductions in power for alpha and theta mean a better outcome.
- Measure of Quality of LifeBefore and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL) The WHOQOL measures quality of life in areas of social relationships, psychological and physical health, environment, and independence. Higher WHOQOL mean a better outcome.