Status:

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Combined With Stable Medication in Adolescents With Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Pilot Study

Lead Sponsor:

First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

Conditions:

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

12-18 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

To evaluate the efficacy of tACS treatment. To determine whether tACS can accelerate symptom remission, improve clinical response rates, and facilitate the recovery of emotional and cognitive function...

Detailed Description

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with stable pharmacotherapy in adolesce...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Age 12-18 years.
  • Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a current depressive episode, as confirmed by the K-SADS-PL.
  • Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) score ≥40 at baseline.
  • Stable psychotropic medication treatment for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment and willingness to continue the same regimen throughout the study.

Exclusion

  • Psychiatric comorbidities other than anxiety disorders.
  • Depression with psychotic features.
  • Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score \>13.
  • History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury) or severe physical illnesses (e.g., thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, significant liver, kidney, or lung impairment, major trauma).
  • Previous treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), tACS, or other neurostimulation therapies.
  • Current use of antiepileptic drugs or high-dose benzodiazepines.
  • History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding females.
  • Contraindications to MRI.
  • Current high suicide risk.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

October 1 2025

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

October 1 2026

Estimated Enrollment :

30 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT07185451

Start Date

October 1 2025

End Date

October 1 2026

Last Update

September 22 2025

Active Locations (1)

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1

The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China, 40000

Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Combined With Stable Medication in Adolescents With Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Pilot Study | DecenTrialz