Closed-Loop Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Depression (CLACS)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05772702 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : March 16, 2023
Last Update Posted : March 16, 2023
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Depression Major Depressive Disorder tACS | Device: Closed-loop tACS | Not Applicable |
The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the preliminary efficacy of closed-loop tACS for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in an open-label pilot study. We will recruit 20 participants with unipolar, non-psychotic MDD. Participation will include seven visits, two of them remotely (with an in-person option as needed), and one electronic survey.
Potential participants fill-in an electronic pre-screening form. If potentially eligible, a remote screening visit is performed. If eligible, participants attend five consecutive, daily stimulation sessions. Clinical assessments will be performed at baseline (Day 1 of stimulation, D1), Day five of stimulation (D5), and at their follow-up visit (14 days after the completion of stimulation) using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17).
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 20 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Open-Label |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Closed-Loop Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Depression (CLACS): Single-Site Open-Label Pilot Study |
Actual Study Start Date : | February 13, 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 31, 2023 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | April 15, 2024 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Closed-loop tACS
Closed-loop individual alpha tACS daily for five consecutive days.
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Device: Closed-loop tACS
Individual alpha tACS |
- HDRS-17 change [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in HDRS-17 between two week follow-up (FU2) and Day 1 (D1); minimum value is 0, maximum value is 52. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- HDRS-17 change [ Time Frame: 14 days ]Change in HDRS-17 between one week follow-up (FU1) and D1
- HDRS-17 change [ Time Frame: 5 days ]Change in HDRS-17 between D5 and D1
- Response/Remission of depression [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Number of response/remission rates at D5, FU1 and FU2
- Change in Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in QIDS at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 0, maximum value is 27. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- Change in Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in ASRM at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 0, maximum value is 20. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- Change in Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in SHAPS at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 0, maximum value is 14. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- Change in Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in DASS-42 at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 0, maximum value is 126 with three subscales (0 to 42). Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- Change in State-Train Anxiety Inventory (STAI) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in STAI at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 20, maximum value is 80. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
- Change in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, short form (Q-LES-Q-SF) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in Q-LES-Q-SF at D5, FU1, FU2; minimum value is 14, maximum value is 70. Higher scores indicate better outcome.
- Change in Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) [ Time Frame: 21 days ]Change in CGI at Day 5, FU1 and FU2; CGI scale contains two scoring components, 1) Severity of Illness (0-7) and 2) Global Improvement (0-7). Higher scores in component 1 indicate worse symptoms while higher numbers in component 2 indicate worse clinical outcomes.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 70 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-70 years
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5) diagnosis of MDD; unipolar, non-psychotic
- Hamilton Rating Depression Rating Scale (HRDS-17) score >8
- Low suicide risk as determined by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) triage form (no intent or plan)
- Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent)
Exclusion Criteria:
- DSM-5 diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) within the last 12 months.
- DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder (excluding tobacco) within the last 12 months.
- Lifetime history of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, autism
- Current use of benzodiazepines > 20mg diazepam/d equivalent
- Antidepressant dose change within the last 2 weeks
- Initiated new antidepressant within the last 4 weeks

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT05772702
Contact: Tobias U Schwippel, MD | 817-609-4460 | tobias_schwippel@unc.edu | |
Contact: Zachary J Stewart, MSc | zachary_stewart@med.unc.edu |
United States, North Carolina | |
Carolina Center for Neurostimulation | Recruiting |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27516 | |
Contact: Tobias U Schwippel, MD |
Principal Investigator: | David R Rubinow, MD | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | Electromedical Products International, Inc. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT05772702 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
22-3094 |
First Posted: | March 16, 2023 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 16, 2023 |
Last Verified: | March 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | Yes |
Device Product Not Approved or Cleared by U.S. FDA: | Yes |
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: | No |
Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major |
Behavioral Symptoms Mood Disorders Mental Disorders |