Pilot Study on Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Treating Suicidal Thoughts in Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of 15 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS on reducing suicidal thoughts in adults with treatment-resistant depression. This pilot study involves participants diagnosed with recurrent or isolated depressive episodes who have stable antidepressant treatment and significant suicidal ideation. The goal is to see if daily 30-minute sessions of tDCS at 2 mA intensity can lower suicidal ideation scores. Participants will receive one tDCS session per day for 15 days, each lasting 30 minutes with a current of 2 mA. After completing these sessions, they will attend three follow-up visits on days 19, 49, and 79 to monitor changes. The study is conducted without blinding and focuses on the active tDCS intervention. During the study, participants will undergo assessments of suicidal ideation using the Scale for Suicide Ideation and the implicit association test at baseline and follow-up visits. Depression severity will be measured with the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale MADRS, and quality of life will be evaluated with the SF36 survey. These measures will help researchers understand changes over time and the safety of the treatment. Participants are involved for approximately 79 days including follow-ups.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the Management of Suicidal Ideation