tDCS therapy for adolescent depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment in adolescent depression: acceptability, clinical outcomes, and neurophysiological correlates
IRAS ID
352569
Contact name
Cynthia H.Y. Fu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Adolescent depression is a growing concern, with prevalence rates estimated between 4.8% (Shorey et al., 2021). This concerning trend is associated with serious consequences, including high-risk behaviours, academic underachievement, and long-term challenges in daily functioning (Shorey et al., 2021). The usual current first-line treatments, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, are effective for many individuals but are associated with significant side effects (Wang et al., 2018; Braund et al., 2021). Moreover, an unresolved challenge is treatment-resistant depression (Berlim & Turecki, 2007), which highlights the need for safe, acceptable, and efficient alternative treatment methods, especially tailored for the adolescent population.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that modulates cortical tissue excitability through weak electrical currents (0.5-2 mA), delivered via electrodes in a headband or cap. Unlike transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), tDCS does not cause neuronal discharge (Woodham et al., 2021). Research studies have found that a course of tDCS sessions can help improve depression (Woodham et al., 2024). The same pattern, with a lower number of studies, reported a promising positive antidepressant effect of tDCS treatment for adolescent depression and other neurodevelopmental disorders (Gallop et al., 2023; Lo et al., 2025). The most common side effects have been tingling feelings and itchiness, mild redness on the forehead, which lasts for a short while, and a few participants have noticed a mild headache for both adult and youth population without any serious adverse events for both population (Salehinejad et al., 2022; Lo et al., 2025), and meta-analyses demonstrate its efficacy in adult major depressive disorder (MDD) (Zheng et al., 2024; Mutz et al., 2019). However, most studies have given tDCS in a research clinic. This is a problem because the treatment involves daily visits for a few weeks.
We have developed a home-based tDCS protocol, making tDCS application widely accessible (Woodham et al., 2022; Rimmer et al., 2024). In adult MDD, our trial showed tDCS significantly improved symptoms, with higher response and remission rates compared to sham, and strong safety and acceptability (Woodham et al., 2024). However, home-based tDCS has been CE-marked for the treatment of MDD, not adolescent depression. Based on the mentioned increasing prevalence of adolescent depression and the absence of a comprehensive first-line treatment, moreover the safety of tDCS application in both adult and adolescent populations, with only short-term and mild tDCS-related side effects, we propose a double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled, 10-week home-based tDCS trial (off-label CE-marked purpose) in adolescent depression (15-19 years) with real-time supervision for the training session and regular assessment sessions to ensure safety and efficiency of the mentioned project.
We aim to assess the efficiency, acceptability, and safety of home-based tDCS application in adolescent depression in the following study design. Participants will be randomised to one of the active or sham treatment groups. The intervention includes a 10-week course of treatment, consisting of 5 tDCS sessions per week for 3 weeks, then 3 tDCS sessions per week for 7 weeks. After the blinded treatment phase, all participants will be offered a 10-week open-label tDCS treatment with a 3-month follow-up session. Findings from this project will offer a potential new first-line treatment for adolescent depression.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0198
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion