Brain stimulation at home compared with at a clinic for major depression
Compares home and clinic brain stimulation for treating major depression in adults.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Home tDCS for the Treatment of Major Depression.
Key facts
- Where
- L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Mataró, and Sabadell, SpainSee the 3 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT07510880, who can take part
Where in Spain
- Hospital Universitario de BellvitgeL'Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Universitari de MataróMataró, SpainTaking people
- Parc Tauli Hospital UniversitariSabadell, SpainNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Ionclinics & Deionic SL
- Trial code
- NCT07510880
- Record updated
- 1 May 2026
- Original description
The purpose of this multicentric randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness and safety of home-based tDCS for the treatment of major depression versus tDCS treatment in a healthcare centre, and explore the effects of an accelerated home-tDCS protocol.Read full original descriptionShow less
Home tDCS for the Treatment of Major Depression: A Randomised Clinical Trial
The purpose of this multicentric randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness and safety of home-based tDCS for the treatment of major depression versus tDCS treatment in a healthcare centre, and explore the effects of an accelerated home-tDCS protocol.
The change in depression index at the end of treatment, measured with MADRS, will be the primary outcome.
Inclusion: Spanish or Catalan speakers of both sexes between the ages of 18 and 65; Patients diagnosed with major depression, based on the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Specifically, patients will be included who meet the criteria for a major depressive episode with a longitudinal diagnosis of major depressive disorder, single or recurrent episode; or bipolar disorder type 1 or 2. Patients must obtain a moderate or higher score, therefore we establish a lower limit of 15 points on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (Alonzo et al., 2019); Patients receiving or not receiving pharmacological treatment for depression will be included, and this will be recorded as an additional variable; Have the ability and willingness to commit to the study team for supervision of the intervention sessions and close monitoring of safety; Demonstrate the acquisition of the ability to properly apply home tDCS independently or with the help of a companion.
Exclusion: Drug or alcohol abuse during the study or in the previous 3 months (except for nicotine); Changes in pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment (such as structured psychotherapy) during the study or in the 3 months prior to starting the trial; Patients with psychotic, schizoaffective, or personality disorders (both cluster A and B); Patients with a history of neurological disease, intellectual disability, or cognitive impairment (inability to understand instructions or operate equipment); Any exclusion criteria established by clinical guidelines on non-invasive brain stimulation (Woods et al., 2016): metal implants or head injuries, any electronic devices such as cochlear implants or cardiac pacemakers. Brain stimulation in the last 6 months. Clinical or family history of epilepsy; Patients with dermatological problems, such as an allergic skin reaction at the electrode site; High risk of suicide. Assessed through an interview with a psychiatrist and the use of the Spanish-validated Columbia Suicide Risk Scale (C-SSRS) (Al-Halabí et al., 2016); Pregnancy.