Table 2 Side effects by treatment week and maintenance period conditions.

From: Alpha transcranial alternating current stimulation reduces depressive symptoms in people with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations: a double-blind, randomized pilot clinical trial

 

Treatment week + Maintenance period

 

Side effect

(Mean ± SD)

tACS + tACS

(n = 8)

tACS + Sham

(n = 6)

Sham + tACS

(n = 5)

Sham + Sham

(n = 6)

Statistics

Headache

1.05 ± 0.12

1.04 ± 0.07

1.02 ± 0.05

1.17 ± 0.28

F3,21 = 1.06

p = 0.387

Neck pain

1.13 ± 0.38

1.09 ± 0.19

1.08 ± 0.11

1.05 ± 0.09

F3,21 = 0.144

p = 0.932

Scalp pain

1.45 ± 0.51

1.33 ± 0.35

1.67 ± 1.13

1.36 ± 0.45

F3,21 = 0.309

p = 0.819

Tingling

2.02 ± 0.60

1.32 ± 0.35

1.95 ± 1.01

1.51 ± 0.29

F3,21 = 2.00

p = 0.144

Itching

1.49 ± 0.66

1.17 ± 0.30

1.33 ± 0.44

1.60 ± 0.62

F3,21 = 0.709

p = 0.557

Ringing/buzzing noise

1.13 ± 0.29

1.01 ± 0.03

1.01 ± 0.03

1.76 ± 0.97

F3,21 = 0.929

p = 0.444

Burning sensation

1.64 ± 0.74

1.71 ± 0.50

1.82 ± 1.02

1.76 ± 0.97

F3,21 = 0.053

p = 0.983

Local redness

1.02 ± 0.05

1 ± 0

1.15 ± 0.35

1 ± 0

F3,21 = 1.25

p = 0.317

Sleepiness

1.82 ± 1.00

1.41 ± 0.47

1.41 ± 0.35

1.41 ± 0.51

F3,21 = 0.624

p = 0.607

Trouble concentrating

1.32 ± 0.66

1.26 ± 0.35

1.10 ± 0.12

1.18 ± 0.38

F3,21 = 0.274

p = 0.843

Improved mood

1.89 ± 1.26

1.11 ± 0.26

1.22 ± 0.35

1.13 ± 0.28

F3,21 = 1.71

p = 0.195

Worsening of mood

1.14 ± 0.40

1 ± 0

1 ± 0

1.05 ± 0.13

F3,21 = 0.541

p = 0.659

Dizziness

1.08 ± 0.19

1.08 ± 0.20

1.01 ± 0.03

1.05 ± 0.06

F3,21 = 0.243

p = 0.865

Flickering Lights

1.05 ± 0.83

1.70 ± 0.61

1.31 ± 0.51

1.25 ± 0.49

F3,21 = 0.578

p = 0.636

  1. Side effects questionnaires were administered after each stimulation session, during which the participant either received tACS or sham stimulation. Each participant’s side effect scores were averaged across all sessions for group comparisons (F-statistics).
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