Efficacy and Mechanism of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) for Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Individualized Targeted Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation for for Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Targeted temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) may modulate the abnormal electrophysiological activity in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), thereby improving their obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

This study will investigate the therapeutic effects and potential neural mechanisms of targeted temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) of the nucleus accumbens in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will receive either active or sham tTIS for 5 consecutive days. Clinical symptoms will be assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and additional psychological questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and during follow-up assessments. Behavioral tasks, including instrumental learning and probabilistic reversal learning paradigms, will be administered to assess intervention-related changes in behavioral performance. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be acquired before and after the intervention to evaluate intervention-related changes in brain function and structure. The study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of nucleus accumbens-targeted tTIS and to explore its potential behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms in OCD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Were between 18 and 65 years old;
• Were diagnosed with OCD by an experienced psychiatrist utilizing the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID);
• Were able to participate in the entire trial and face-to-face on-site assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding;
• Suffered from organic brain diseases or severe physical illness;
• Had a history of substance or alcohol abuse;
• Presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder) or a high risk of suicide;
• Have received electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, tDCS, tACS, or other neurostimulation treatments within the past 6 months;
• Presence of contraindications to MRI or tTIS, such as severe head trauma, prior brain surgery, intracranial or cardiac metallic implants, etc.