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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06236711

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an Adjunctive Treatment for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)

The researchers are trying to test the feasibility and acceptability of using transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in hospitalized adult patients with Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), assess for any preliminary effect on depressive and cognitive symptoms, and explore the utility of biomarkers to assess response to tDCS.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Treatment Resistant Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

About this study

In this feasibility study the researchers propose to conduct a 5-day tDCS treatment protocol in hospitalized adult patients with TRD, with each treatment session lasting for 30 minutes, delivered twice daily, for a total of 10 stimulations over 5 days. Before and after the 5-day tDCS treatment protocol, assessments will include Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) to measure depressive symptoms, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) to measure anhedonia, Stroop Test to measure memory and executive function, Revised Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R) to test verbal learning and memory, and Digital Symbol Coding Test (DSCT) to measure working memory. Electroencephalography (EEG) for objective electrophysiologic data will also be collected before and after tDCS. A wireless EEG unit (CGX, Cognionic, Inc.) will be used to collect EEG and peak alpha frequency (PAF) as potential target engagement marker for tDCS. The PAF measures the highest magnitude within the alpha range of brain oscillations, thought to reflect cognitive performance. Other potential predictors of treatment response measures collected at baseline include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), premorbid intelligence quotient (pIQ), Wide Range Achievement Reading Test (WRART), and Socioeconomic Status (SES).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years and older
  • Clinical diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression (defined as depression that does not remit following two or more treatment attempts of an adequate dose and duration of a minimum duration of 4 weeks)
  • Hospitalized in psychiatric units
  • Voluntary admission status
  • Moderate or severe depression, defined by PHQ-9 ≥ 15
  • Ability to provide informed consent
  • Ability to adhere to protocol

Exclusion criteria

  • Bipolar disorder
  • Active primary psychotic or substance use disorders (except nicotine dependence) within the past year
  • Any active neurological condition (including seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury, stroke)
  • Contraindications to tDCS (including pacemaker, metallic implants in the head or neck [except orthodontic hardware], skin disease causing irritation)
  • Current pregnancy or positive urine pregnancy test (clinical)
  • Any neuromodulation therapy (including ECT, rTMS, DBS, VNS, TES) within the last 3 months

Treatment and study plan

tDCS

Device

tDCS is a form of noninvasive transcranial stimulation of the brain by delivering low-intensity electrical current to the scalp through two electrodes. The Soterix Medical 1×1 Low Intensity Transcranial DC Stimulator Model 1300A (Soterix Medical, Inc., New York, NY, USA) device will be used in the study. The tDCS device is comprised of a small battery-operated control box that delivers the current through electrodes placed on the scalp, held in place by elastic bands or head straps and worn over the forehead like a headband.

Primary outcomes

  1. Feasibility outcome

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

    Defined as 70% of eligible patients choosing to enroll in the study. Other feasibility parameters will include willingness of clinicians to refer and help recruit patients, number of eligible participants, willingness of participants to enroll, retention of patients, and completeness of data collection.

  2. Acceptability outcome

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

    Defined as 80% of study participants completing 80% of the 10-session tDCS treatment protocol. Investigators will also ask participants about their satisfaction, perceptions, and experiences with the tDCS treatments. Other acceptability parameters will include rates of adherence to tDCS protocol, dropout rates and reasons for non-completion.

  3. Tolerability outcome

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

    Defined as an overall tolerability rating of "very tolerable." This will be a self-report based on a global question "Considering all aspects of your experience, how would you rate the overall tolerability of the tDCS intervention?" The response options are: very tolerable, somewhat tolerable, neutral, somewhat intolerable, and very intolerable. Other tolerability parameters will include the tDCS adverse effects questionnaire.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    Measure of depressive symptoms. Response is defined by a 50% or more reduction in MADRS score. The MADRS has 10-items which are based on mood symptoms. Each items is scored 0 (normal) to 6 (severe depression) with overall score ranges from 0 (normal) to 60 (severe depression).

  2. Change in Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    Measure of anhedonia. The SHAPS has 14-items which are based on pleasure symptoms. Each item is scored 1 (definitely agree) to 4 (definitely disagree) with overall score ranges from 14 (experience high pleasure) to 56 (experience low pleasure)

  3. Change in Stroop Test

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    Measure of measure memory and executive function. Reaction time (in seconds) in the different conditions of the task (reading the non-conflicting condition, reading the conflicting condition)

  4. Change in Revised Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    Measure of verbal learning and memory. The HVLT-R has 12-items which are based on memory score. Total recall score (range from 0 to 36). The higher the score indicates better short-term memory, lowers scores indicates worse short-term memory.

  5. Change in Digital Symbol Coding Test (DSCT)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    Measure of working memory. The DSST involves a key consisting of the numbers 1-9, each paired with a unique, easy to draw symbol. Below the key are a series of numbers that 1-9 in random order and repeated several times, that are to be filled in the corresponding symbol for each number. One point is given for each correct response. Total scores range from 0-9, lower scores indicate worse memory; higher scores indicate better memory.

  6. Change in Peak alpha frequency (PAF)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks

    EEG measure of the highest magnitude within the alpha range of brain oscillations, thought to reflect cognitive performance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Feasibility Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an Adjunctive Treatment for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) in Hospitalized Patients

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 1, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 6, 2025

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.

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