O12.8. TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION TO TREAT AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL

Abstract Background Previous research provided evidence that 2 mA transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations (AH). However, results from large sample trials are needed to confirm these results. In a relatively large sample size, this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigates the efficacy of tDCS on auditory hallucinations, general symptomology of psychotic disorders as well as cognitive functioning. Methods Fifty-four patients with treatment-resistant AH received twice daily 2 mA tDCS or sham treatment for 20 minutes on five consecutive days. The anode was placed on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the cathode at the left temporoparietal junction. Symptom severity was measured at four different time points, investigating initial effects and their duration up to three months after treatment. Symptoms were assessed using the auditory hallucination rating scale (AHRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Stroop task and the Trail Making Test. Adverse events were assessed using the tDCS Adverse effects questionnaire. Results Total AHRS scores decreased significantly over time from on average 28.4 (SD 5.3) to 26.6 (SD 7.0) (p