RCT of At-Home tDCS for Depression in Pregnancy

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18+
SponsorWomen's College Hospital

About this trial

This is a randomized, sham-controlled trial to determine whether treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is superior to a sham condition at reducing the symptoms of depression in pregnant people with moderate to severe depression. The study aims to enrol 156 participants across all sites. Data collection occurs at baseline, immediately after treatment, every 4 weeks during pregnancy and 4-, 12-, 26- and 52-weeks postpartum

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Adult, ≥18 years of age

Singleton pregnancy, 12 to end of 32 weeks single gestation at randomization

In a major depressive episode (MDE) with at least moderate symptom severity (PHQ-9 ≥10 and confirmed using MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview as MDE without psychotic features)

Assessed by a psychiatrist at one of the study recruitment sites during pregnancy, and offered the option of antidepressant medication for treatment but declined to use

Disqualifiers

Active alcohol or substance use disorder in previous 12 months as assessed by GAIN-SS

Active suicidality as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Bipolar disorder as assessed by MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview

Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder as assessed by MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • active tDCS
  • workbook
  • sham tDCS

Treatment groups

156 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

2
Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreM4N 3M5, TorontoOntario, Canada
Women's College HospitalM5S1B2, TorontoOntario, Canada

Sponsors and collaborators

Women's College Hospital

Lead sponsor

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Collaborator

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Collaborator