| NCT ID | NCT07410104 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL |
| Condition | Social Media Addiction |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-03 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-03 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2026-03 with a primary completion date of 2026-03.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation, can reduce "craving" and problematic levels of social media/internet use in university students. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does active tDCS reduce craving to use social media during the intervention period compared with sham stimulation and no stimulation? * Does active tDCS reduce internet/social media addiction severity (measured with the Internet Addiction Test, IAT) compared with sham stimulation and no stimulation, and are any effects still present at follow-up? Researchers will compare three groups-active tDCS, sham tDCS (a simulation where stimulation is stopped after the first seconds), and a control group (no stimulation)-to see whether changes are due to tDCS rather than placebo effects or time. Participants will: * Complete an initial screening and baseline questionnaires (a sociodemographic questionnaire and the IAT). * Be randomly assigned to one of three groups: active tDCS, sham tDCS, or control (no stimulation). * Complete the IAT again after the intervention and again about 5 weeks later (follow-up), along with questions about social media use habits. During intervention, participants in active tDCS and sham tDCS will: * Attend 10 sessions over 2 consecutive weeks (Monday-Friday), with each session lasting about 30 minutes; mobile phone use is not allowed during sessions. * Rate craving on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the start and end of each session. This study will be conducted with university students in the Greater Lisbon area and will follow double-blind procedures for the active vs sham conditions (participants and researchers will not know the assigned condition until the end of the study).
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years. * Availability to participate in all study phases/sessions. * IAT score ≥31 (moderate to severe level). Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of depressive, anxiety, or bipolar disorders with recent symptoms; schizophrenia; psychotic disorders; or autism spectrum disorder. * Recent psychotropic medication use or dose change within the last 3 months. * Current need for inpatient care or ongoing psychotherapy. * History of dizziness or seizures/convulsions. * Contraindications to tDCS, including pregnancy, metallic implants, tumors, prior brain surgery, or significant anatomical brain alterations.
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07410104 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Social Media Addiction. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07410104 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07410104 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at pchalo@egasmoniz.edu.pt for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07410104 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Almada, Portugal.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07410104 clinical trial?
NCT07410104 is sponsored by Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.
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