NCT00481988

Treating Depression With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Randomized, Double Blind Crossover Study of the Treatment of Major Depressive Episode With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1 / Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: New York State Psychiatric Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to see if transcranial direct current stimulation may improve the symptoms of depression.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to learn about a brain stimulating procedure called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In tDCS therapy, two moistened sponges are applied to the forehead while a small amount of electric current flows between them. These electrodes are placed on the head so that the electricity will pass through a region in the brain that is believed to contribute to depression. This study is intended to test the theory that the electromagnetic field created by the current may affect this region of the brain in a way that may improve the symptoms of depression. This may affect brain activity and function.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	transcranial direct current stimulation	Two damp sponges, one placed on the left side of the forehead, the other on the left arm. 0.1mA of current is passed for 20 minutes.
DEVICE	transcranial direct current stimulation	transcranial direct current stimulation delivers one milliamp of direct current, supplied by a constant current generator, the the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex through a scalp electrode. The treatment is given for 20 minutes a day.
DEVICE	transcranial direct current stimulation	one milliamp of direct current applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex through a scalp electrode
DEVICE	iomed phoresor transcranial direct current stimulation	for the sham group the current is turned off after 10 seconds

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-03-01
• Primary completion: 2009-06-01
• Completion: 2011-01-01
• First posted: 2007-06-04
• Last updated: 2013-05-20
• Results posted: 2013-05-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States