Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation for Depression (NCT07612501) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation for Depression
China60 participantsStarted 2026-05-30
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) can help treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. The study will also learn about the safety of tTIS and explore how it may affect brain structure and brain function.
The main questions it aims to answer are whether active tTIS lowers depression symptom scores more than sham stimulation after treatment, and what medical problems or side effects participants have during or after tTIS.
Researchers will compare active tTIS targeting the left anterior limb of the internal capsule, active tTIS targeting the left subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, and sham stimulation. Sham stimulation is designed to feel similar to real stimulation but does not provide the same active treatment.
Participants with MDD will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. They will receive two 20-minute treatment sessions each day for 5 days. They will complete depression, anxiety, pleasure, psychosomatic symptom, and safety assessments before treatment, after treatment, and during follow-up. They will also have brain magnetic resonance imaging scans before and after treatment.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), by two independent psychiatrists
* 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) total score greater than 20 at baseline
* Aged 18 to 65 years
* Right-handed
* Able to understand the study procedures and willing to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of epilepsy, brain tumor, or brain trauma
* Receipt of transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, or electroconvulsive therapy within the past 3 months
* Presence of metal implants or other contraindications to transcranial electrical stimulation or magnetic resonance imaging
* Acute or severe suicidal ideation
* Any other condition judged by the investigators to make participation unsuitable for this study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) Total Score From Baseline to Week 1