Double-blind, randomized clinical trial targeting theta oscillations with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for cognitive control in male methamphetamine patients.
After a 15-session theta-frequency stimulation program, participants showed improvements on laboratory measures of proactive and reactive cognitive control. The finding is promising but does not yet establish reduced drug use or durable real-world benefit.
Tian Y, Jiang L, Gang X, Chen M, Tang S, Wang X, Zhang X, Wang D.
Molecular psychiatry · Publication date: 2026-09-29
Added to site: 2026-10-01
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-026-03900-0
Electronic publication date verified in PubMed and Crossref. The record was indexed after the prior portal search, and this source date is separate from the site's addition date.
- Modalities
- tACS, EEG, Neuromodulation
- Clinical focus
- Methamphetamine use disorder, Cognitive control, Frontal midline theta
- Population
- Men with DSM-5 methamphetamine use disorder
- Sample
- 68 men enrolled; 56 completed all procedures and were included in the final analysis
- Intervention / method
- Fifteen consecutive daily sessions of 2 mA theta-frequency tACS using an FCz-Pz montage, with conditional stop-signal testing and concurrent EEG
- Comparator
- Sham stimulation
Clinician summary
The abstract reports improved preparation cost (p=0.001) and inhibition rate (p=0.003), enhanced late-stage proactive-control theta power (p=0.026), and restored theta-performance coupling (p=0.04). Reactive-control theta activity did not change significantly.
How to interpret the findings
Twelve of 68 enrolled participants were excluded from the final analysis. The abstract does not provide allocation-specific denominators, effect sizes, adverse-event results, craving or substance-use outcomes, or follow-up beyond the intervention. The all-male sample limits generalizability.
Equipment and disclosures
The study used 2 mA theta-tACS with an FCz-Pz montage and concurrent EEG; device manufacturer and detailed stimulation waveform were not available in the checked abstract.
The authors declared no competing interests. The indexed record reports China Postdoctoral Science Foundation support and prospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06292156.
Related evidence
Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.
- Frontal midline theta reduction during attentional reconfiguration links local cortical dynamics to network-level connectivity changes · Positive with limitations
- Foster care intervention protects cognitive control skills in young adults exposed to institutional rearing. · Positive with limitations
- Cognitive state dependent enhancement of cognitive control with transcranial magnetic stimulation. · Positive with limitations
Summary prepared with AI assistance. Source verification does not imply an independent replication or a clinician's endorsement. Read our review method.