NCT06901687

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

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

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 170 (estimated)
• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Active tDCS	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.
DEVICE	Sham tDCS	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-11
• Primary completion: 2028-01-01
• Completion: 2028-06-01
• First posted: 2025-03-30
• Last updated: 2025-08-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study