Electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) As a Treatment for Depression

This double blind randomized controlled trial will enroll up to 60 subjects and will be conducted at the NRI Institute of Medical Sciences. The study will be randomized for a 8-week period with a 1:1 active to sham device allocation. Each participant will complete 5 stimulation sessions per week under the supervision of a researcher at the Department of Physiology. Each session will be 30 minutes on the day of usage. The scheduled study events are to be undertaken at the following timepoints:

• Baseline: Study Visit 1 (0-week timepoint for enrolment)
• Study Visit 2 (2-week timepoint)
• Study Visit 3 (4-week timepoint)
• Study Visit 4 (6-week timepoint)
• End of Study: Study Visit 5 (8-week timepoint)
• Post-intervention follow-up at 4 weeks (12-week timepoint)

Inclusion criteria

• Signed Informed Consent
• Male or female, age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years at the time of signing informed consent
• PHQ-9 score of >/=10 at screening
• On anti-depressant medication to treat depression (participant must only be on one Selective Serotonin or Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI) for at least 1 year prior to baseline visit, and no longer than 5 years
• Stable dose of anti-depressant (SSRI/SNRI) medication to treat depression, 3 months prior to baseline appointment
• Stable medication regime for at least 4 weeks prior to the baseline visit
• Can speak / read Hindi / English
• Ability and willingness to complete all study visits and procedures; in particular an agreement to engage with trying to use the device per the study protocol
• Ability and willingness to adhere to 30 minutes usage of the device at 5 days per week for the duration of the trial at clinic
• Agree not to undergo any extreme lifestyle changes during the duration of the study that could impact sleep e.g. dietary or exercise changes

Exclusion criteria

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of <10 at screening
• Risk of persistent self-harm or suicide
• Diagnosis or history of bipolar disorder
• History of a current psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or other non-mood disorder psychosis
• Diagnosis of substance use disorder or dependence
• Use of recreational drugs (e.g nalgesics, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens). Subject can enrol after a washout period of 30 days
• History of diagnosed cognitive impairment / disorder such as delirium or dementia
• Previous diagnosis of a chronic viral infection, for example hepatitis or HIV.
• History of stroke or head injury requiring intensive care or neurosurgery
• Presence of permanently implanted battery-powered medical device or stimulator (e.g., pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, deep brain stimulator, vagal nerve stimulator, etc.)
• History of epilepsy
• History of severe tinnitus or vertigo
• History of skin breakdown, eczema or other dermatological condition (e.g. psoriasis) affecting the skin behind the ears.
• History or presence of malignancy within the last year (except basal and squamous cell skin cancer and in-situ carcinomas)
• History of vestibular dysfunction or another inner ear disease
• Regular use (more than twice a month) of antihistamine medication within the last 6 months
• A diagnosis of myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndrome
• Diagnosis of active migraines
• Previous use of Modius device or any VeNS device
• Participation in other clinical trials sponsored by Neurovalens
• Any other medical condition, or medication use, that in the opinion of the PI is likely to make the subject refractory to VeNS.
• Failure to use device daily during trial participation (no more than 14 consecutive days usage drop without reasonable explanation)