Could a Head-Zapping device at home beat chronic fatigue?

NCT ID NCT05791812

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Regensburg Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a gentle electrical brain stimulation device, used at home under remote supervision, can help reduce fatigue in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Twenty participants will use the device for 20 minutes each weekday over six weeks. The main goals are to see if the treatment is practical and if it improves fatigue and quality of life.

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) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a convenient home-based treatment to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life for people with ME/CFS.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study with only 20 participants and no placebo group, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. The treatment may also cause discomfort or skin irritation.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

myalgic encephalomeyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg

Regensburg, 93055, Germany

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.