Studying How Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS Helps Improve Emotional Health in Young Adults With Mild Depression

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS influences emotional functions like mood regulation and motivation in young adults aged 18 to 35 with subthreshold depression. It compares tDCS effects on different brain regions against a sham placebo stimulation to determine if tDCS can better support emotional regulation. The study is led by The University of Hong Kong and focuses on improving emotional health through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lDLPFC, tDCS targeting the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex rVLPFC, or a sham control group. Each group receives 10 sessions over two weeks, with each session lasting 20 minutes. The real tDCS delivers mild electrical currents to specific brain areas to potentially enhance positive or regulate negative emotions, while the sham group experiences brief stimulation to mimic the sensation without the full effect. During the study, participants complete screening both online and in-person, including mood questionnaires like the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory II. Assessments occur at baseline, after the two-week intervention, and at one- and three-month follow-ups. These sessions last 2 to 2.5 hours and include emotional and cognitive tasks, questionnaires, and tests to monitor changes in depressive symptoms, motivation, emotional regulation, and other related functions. Safety and adherence are carefully observed throughout the study.

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Improving Emotion Health