Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06901687

Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

This project is a double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. We will recruit n=170 people living with MS, who are experiencing an episode of depression in the context of a major depressive episode (MDE). Using our remotely supervised (RS) tDCS protocol, enrolled participants will complete 30 days of 30-minute tDCS (2.0, DLPFC left anodal) while listening to mindfulness meditation. Over the course of the study, participants will complete assessments of depression and MS symptoms. Participants will be randomized 1:1 active:sham tDCS.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Depression Immune System Diseases Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 18-65 years (inclusive)
  • Diagnosis: Confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), including relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive subtypes
  • Stable Medications: Stable use of antidepressant and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for at least 30 days prior to enrollment
  • Stable Disease Activity: Defined as no clinical relapse, no new radiological disease activity, and no recent steroid treatment for at least 30 days prior to enrollment
  • Provider Contact: Confirmed access to a local provider that has primary responsibility for the subjects' clinical care, and who is available for contact in case of increased subject risk due to depressive symptoms
  • Technical Ability: Ability to use mobile devices and participate in remote, video-supervised sessions

Exclusion criteria

  • Neurological or Medical Disorders: History of primary neurological disorder other than MS (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), intracranial mass, epilepsy, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia), major psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders), or serious medical conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction, thyroid disease, diabetes with complications, atrial fibrillation)
  • Substance Use: Nicotine use (e.g., smoking or vaping) within the past 6 months
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Currently pregnant, planning pregnancy during the study period, or breastfeeding. If able to become pregnant, participants will be required to use medically accepted birth control methods, including hormonal methods (e.g., pills, patches, implants), barrier methods (e.g., condoms or diaphragm with spermicide), intrauterine device (IUD), or abstinence. Participants will be advised not to become pregnant during the study.
  • Seizure History: History of seizures or seizure disorder within the past 5 years
  • Implanted Devices or Metal Objects: Presence of metal in the head/neck area (excluding dental fillings) or implanted medical devices (e.g., neurostimulators, pacemakers, defibrillators)
  • Skin Conditions: Active skin disorders or skin sensitivity near electrode application sites

Treatment and study plan

active tDCS

Device

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that delivers a low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through sponge electrodes placed on the scalp. For Active tDCS, the device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds), provide constant current throughout session (29 minutes), and then ramp down (for 30 seconds) at the end.

Sham tDCS

Device

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that delivers a low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through sponge electrodes placed on the scalp. For Sham tDCS (or placebo) the device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds) followed by a ramp down (30 seconds), with no current delivery for 28 minutes, and then ramp up (for 30-s) and down (for 30-s) at the end.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    HDRS-17 is a 17-item assessement of depression symptoms. Each item is rated on a Likert scale; the total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 0-52, with higher scores indicating greater levels of depression. A score of 0-7 is generally accepted to be within the normal range (or in clinical remission), while a score of 20 or higher indicates at least moderate severity.

  2. Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17)

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 3

    HDRS-17 is a 17-item assessement of depression symptoms. Each item is rated on a Likert scale; the total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 0-52, with higher scores indicating greater levels of depression. A score of 0-7 is generally accepted to be within the normal range (or in clinical remission), while a score of 20 or higher indicates at least moderate severity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in SymptoMScreen Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    12-item measure of overall MS symptom burden. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 (not affected at all) to 6 (total limitation). The total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 0 to 72; higher scores indicate greater overall MS symptom burden.

  2. Change in SymptoMScreen Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 3

    12-item measure of overall MS symptom burden. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 (not affected at all) to 6 (total limitation). The total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 0 to 72; higher scores indicate greater overall MS symptom burden.

  3. Change in Cognitive Processing Speed (SDMT)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) scores the total number of correct symbol-digit substitutions within 90 seconds, with a higher score indicating better cognitive processing speed. The maximum possible score is 110, the minimum possible score is 0.

  4. Change in Cognitive Processing Speed (SDMT)

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 3

    The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) scores the total number of correct symbol-digit substitutions within 90 seconds, with a higher score indicating better cognitive processing speed. The maximum possible score is 110, the minimum possible score is 0.

  5. Change in Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Scale v1.0 - Communication Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    Neuro-QOL Scale - Communication Subscale comprises 5 items assessing respondents' difficulty in performing everyday tasks requiring communication. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (cannot perform) to 5 (no difficulty). The total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 5-25; higher scores indicate greater communication abilities function.

  6. Change in Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Scale v1.0 - Communication Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 3

    Neuro-QOL Scale - Communication Subscale comprises 5 items assessing respondents' difficulty in performing everyday tasks requiring communication. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (cannot perform) to 5 (no difficulty). The total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 5-25; higher scores indicate greater communication abilities function.

  7. Proportion of Participant who Achieve Clinical Response per HDRS-17 at End of Intervention

    Time frame: Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    Clinical response is defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in HDRS-17 score from baseline to end of intervention.

  8. Proportion of Participant who Achieve Clinical Response per HDRS-17 at Month 3 Follow-Up

    Time frame: Month 3

    Clinical response is defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in HDRS-17 score from baseline to end of intervention.

  9. Proportion of Participant who Achieve Remission per HDRS-17 at End of Intervention

    Time frame: Week 8 (End of Intervention)

    Clinical response is defined as a HDRS-17 score ≤ 7 at the end of intervention.

  10. Proportion of Participant who Achieve Remission per HDRS-17 at Month 3 Follow-Up

    Time frame: Month 3

    Clinical response is defined as a HDRS-17 score ≤ 7 at the end of intervention.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Elizabeth Quilty

CONTACT

[email protected]

929-455-5564

Shayna Pehel

CONTACT

[email protected]

929-455-5104

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

NYU Langone Health

Other

Collaborators

  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Registry information

Official study title

Home-Based tDCS for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Mar 30, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.