Plain-English translation of ·
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This study is testing two types of non-invasive brain stimulation — transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) — to see if they can help reduce symptoms of anorexia nervosa and improve mood. Some smaller early studies have shown promising results with these treatments, and this trial will be the first large, carefully controlled comparison to see which works better and is safer for patients in hospital.
Current treatments for anorexia nervosa don't work well enough for everyone, and many people need to stay in the hospital for long periods or come back repeatedly. This study exists to find out if brain stimulation might help patients recover faster, feel better emotionally, and avoid long hospital stays.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
You would stay at the specialist eating disorder clinic in Sydney and receive either real or placebo brain stimulation sessions over 8 weeks. In the first 4 weeks, you would have two sessions per day (spaced at least 2 hours apart), and in weeks 5–8 the sessions would decrease. The sessions involve wearing electrodes on your scalp while either gentle electrical current or magnetic pulses are applied — the procedures are painless. You would also complete questionnaires and brief cognitive tests at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 20 to measure changes in your eating disorder symptoms, mood, and daily functioning.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 17, 2026 · Not medical advice
Australia