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Could a zappy headband lift depression? new study turns up the power

NCT ID NCT07226011

Symptom relief Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina 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 This study
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
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 Results may not be published yet.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This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.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 Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether a higher dose of a gentle brain-zapping technique called tDCS can safely help people with major depression. About 20 adults will receive mild electrical pulses on their scalp over 5 days. Researchers will check for side effects and see if mood improves.

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

About 20 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Dec 2025

Expected to finish

Dec 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

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

Ages

18 to 70 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: * Ages 18-70. * Current MDD diagnosis (MINI v7). * Baseline PHQ-9 \> 9. * Capacity to consent * Fluent English. Exclusion Criteria: * Bipolar or psychotic disorder * Primary anxiety disorders without concomitant major depression as defined above * Current significant suicidal ideation or behaviors require a higher level of care. * Use of neuromodulation therapies (e.g., ECT, TMS, VNS) within the past 6 months. * History of seizures, implanted cranial/ cardiac metal, or neurosurgery. * Use of medications that significantly reduce seizure threshold * Frequent/severe HA * Personal history of head trauma, concussion, or TBI * Catatonic or otherwise unable to perform the consent process * Current alcohol or substance-use disorder (moderate-severe). * Any non-uniformities in the skin under the electrode site, including eczema, severe rashes, hyperhidrosis, communicable skin disorders, sensitive skin (ex. eczema, severe rashes), blisters, open wounds, burns including sunburns, cuts or irritation (e.g. due to shaving), or other skin defects or lesions, as determined by clinical personnel * Pregnancy (urine test required for women of childbearing potential).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression major depressive disorder Neurologic Manifestations

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Major depression Major depression disorders

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • MUSC Brain Stimulation Lab

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29407, United States

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