Shock therapy vs. ketamine: which works better for severe depression?
NCT ID NCT07526454
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two treatments—electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and intravenous ketamine—in 70 adults whose depression did not improve with standard medications. Over three weeks, researchers measured changes in mood and thinking skills. The goal was to see which treatment worked better and was safer for people with treatment-resistant depression.
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
-
70 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2025
- Finished
-
Feb 2026
- 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 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 Hide 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: * Adults aged 18-75 years. * Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. * Treatment resistance defined as failure to respond to ≥2 adequate antidepressant trials in the current episode. * Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥20. * Capacity to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder. * Current substance use disorder. * Significant neurological disorders or traumatic brain injury. * Uncontrolled hyper- tension. * cardiovascular diseases in the past six months. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Electroconvulsive therapy are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Locations
-
Tanta University
Tanta, El-Gharbia, 31527, Egypt
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can an antipsychotic restore feelings in people with depression?
- Can intense brain zaps lift depression? scientists track blood flow in real time
- Can an ancient herbal capsule boost antidepressant power?
- Can talk therapy keep Esketamine's relief going?
- Can brisk walking boost antidepressant results?
- Scientists probe brain's reward system in mental illness