Treatment of Refractory Auditory Verbal Hallucinations With tDCS in Schizophrenia

A Pilot Study for the Treatment of Refractory Auditory Verbal Hallucinations With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS) in Patients With Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to exploratively evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with schizophrenia who experience persistent auditory verbal hallucinations after adequate antipsychotics therapy for over three months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with schizophrenia by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
• Presence of auditory hallucination after three months' trial of antipsychotics of adequate dose
• The Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia Voices Questionnaire (HPSVQ) score is at least 8

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant brain pathology including head trauma, seizure, meningitis
• Intellectual disability (IQ < 70)
• Severe personality disorder
• Substance use disorder (except nicotine)
• Severe medical illness
• Disability in the sensory organs
• Pregnancy