Zapping aggression: could a headset tame impulsive outbursts?
NCT ID NCT04732052
First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This clinical trial is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce impulsivity and aggression in adults with developmental disabilities. The study will involve 60 participants who have a developmental disability and a recent history of aggressive behavior. Half will receive active tDCS, while the other half will receive a sham (placebo) treatment, to see if the brain stimulation can help lower aggressive symptoms and improve behavior.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation device
- What this could lead to
- If effective, tDCS could offer a non-drug, non-invasive way to reduce aggressive behavior and impulsivity in adults with developmental disabilities, potentially improving quality of life and reducing the need for restrictive measures.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with a small number of participants (60), so results may not be conclusive or widely applicable. The treatment may not work for everyone, and there is a risk of side effects, though tDCS is generally considered safe.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Providence Care Hospital
RECRUITINGKingston, Ontario, K7L 4X3, Canada
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