Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Heroin Dependence (THED)

Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Heroin Dependence

Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Heroin Dependence

Heroin dependence is one of most common substance dependence, which brings great burden on health worldwide. Heroin dependence may lead to immunosuppression and cognitive impairments. Once heroin dependence is developed, it will be difficult to recover and easy to relapse. Although many efforts had been made in the treatment of heroin dependence, the annual recurrence of heroin dependence with traditional therapies would be up to 90%. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) each alone was reported to have some effect on preventing from relapse of substance dependence. In order to test whether combined therapy of high frequency rTMS (hf-rTMS) with CBT is better for preventing from relapse of heroin dependence, we recruit patients with heroin dependence to participate this study. The study is a factorial designed and the patients will be assigned into one of the following six groups randomly: (1) regular treatment (symptomatic treatment) with blank TMS; (2) regular treatment (RT) with blank TMS and CBT; (3) RT with right DLPFC hf-rTMS; (4) RT with right DLPFC hf-rTMS and CBT; (5) RT with left DLPFC hf-rTMS; (6) RT with left DLPFC hf-rTMS and CBT. TMS was given 5 days per week for total 2 weeks using uniform scheme (5 seconds of 10Hz stimulation per train, 30 trains per day with inter-train interval of 20 seconds). CBT will be given once per week for total 8 weeks. The patients will be followed up for 6 months. Recurrence of heroin dependence, duration of abstention, heroin/drug intake, craving for heroin and other cognitive psychological assessments will be recorded and compared among the 6 treatment groups and the efficacy of combined therapy of rTMS with CBT will be evaluated in our study.

Regular treatment (symptomatic treatment) with blank transcranial magnetic stimulation and cognitive behavioral therapy

Regular treatment with right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS)

Regular treatment with right DLPFC high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Regular treatment with left DLPFC high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS)

Regular treatment with left DLPFC high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Craving assessment for heroin by Heroin Craving Questionnaire (HCQ) ranging from 0 to 175. Higher score of HCQ indicates more desire for heroin.

Craving assessment by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for heroin desire ranging 0 to 10. Higher score indicates more desire for heroin.

Cognitive assessment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ranging from 0 to 30. Lower score indicates worse cognitive function.

Psychological assessment by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) ranging from 0 to 21. Higher score indicates more severer anxiety.

Psychological assessment by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) ranging from 0 to 27. Higher score indicates more severer depression.

Psychological assessment by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) ranging from 0 to 21. Higher score indicates worse sleep.

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis as heroin dependence according to DSM-IV criteria No definite history of neurological diseases and psychological problems Volunteer to participate the study, cooperate to be followed up Exclusion Criteria: Acute withdrawal state and CIWA score > 9 With other neurological diseases and psychological problems With ever brain trauma and damage With other psychological medications or other substance dependence With other contraindications to have transcranial magnetic stimulation

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