Could a facial zapping device treat depression at home?
NCT ID NCT06261177
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a device that sends mild electrical pulses to facial muscles can help treat major depression. Twenty adults with depression will use the device at home for 45 minutes daily over four weeks. The main goal is to see if the approach is feasible and safe, with a secondary look at whether it improves mood.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new, non-drug treatment option for depression that people can use at home.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 20 people. It is designed to test if the approach is practical and safe, not yet to prove it works for depression.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MDD are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada