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Brain zaps and brain games: a new approach to curb veteran suicide

NCT ID NCT05231213

Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether combining a mild brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with computer-based cognitive training can help veterans who are at high risk for suicide. The goal is to improve decision-making and impulse control, which may reduce the chance of moving from suicidal thoughts to attempts. The trial involves 14 veterans currently in an inpatient psychiatric unit and lasts five days, with follow-up after two months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment to help veterans at high risk for suicide by strengthening their decision-making and impulse control.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 14 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is short (5 days) and may not produce lasting effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

14 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Nov 2022

Finished

Mar 2025

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * currently admitted into the MVAHCS Inpatient Psychiatric Unit * at a heightened risk for suicide (defined as a positive screen on the VA Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE) at intake and/or a suicide attempt within the previous 12 months) * able to complete procedures and tasks Exclusion Criteria: * are unable to provide informed consent as determined by the Modified Dysken Tool * have moderate/severe cognitive impairment as determined by the Mini-Mental State Examination (score 27) * have contraindications for tDCS (history of seizures, metallic cranial plates/screws or implanted device, history of eczema on scalp) * do not have a smartphone or device running Android or Apple iOS with which to download the mPRO EMA app * have been involuntarily committed

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Impulsive Behavior Suicide

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Impulsivity Suicide

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417-2309, United States

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