N/A
Completed N=44
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Therapy for Bipolar Depression
Depression, Bipolar · Bipolar Disorder · Mood Disorders · Mental Disorder
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05436613 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
44
Serious AEs
2.3%
Results posted
Aug 2025
Primary outcomePrimary: Number of Participants With Clinical Response [ Time Frame: At 6 Weeks Following Course of tDCS Treatment ] — 34 Participants
Summary
Bipolar disorder is a severe and disabling disorder. The course of illness is often progressive but is highly heterogeneous between individuals and within the lifetime for an individual. The most common treatments are medications. However, for many individuals, combinations of medications are often required, and full recovery is infrequent.
The novel brain stimulation treatment, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is a potential first-line treatment for bipolar depression. The present research question is whether tDCS can be provided as a home-based treatment for bipolar depression for adults with bipolar disorder.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Number of Participants With Clinical Response [ Time Frame: At 6 Weeks Following Course of tDCS Treatment ] |
34 | — |
| SECONDARY Participant Retention at the End of the Treatment |
41 | — |
| SECONDARY Participant Acceptability Questionnaire Scales |
41 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on DSM-5 criteria
- minimum score of 18 on the MADRS
- being on a stable dosage of mood stabilizing medication for a minimum of two weeks
Exclusion Criteria
- comorbid psychiatric disorder
- significant risk of suicide or self harm
- any contraindications to tDCS, including implanted electronic medical devices
- history of epilepsy
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05436613). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.