TNS for Major Depressive Disorder: a Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial
Depressive Symptoms
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depressive Symptoms focused on measuring depression, cranial nerve stimulation, trigeminal stimulation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- patients between 18 and 69 years
- patients with a diagnosis of depression according to the SCID
- score greater than or equal to 18 on the Hamilton Rating Scale 17-item version (equivalent to moderate or severe depressive episode)
- agreement to participate in the study as recommended in the IC.
Exclusion Criteria:
- patients with psychiatric indication for hospitalization
- patients with psychiatric comorbidity
- patients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
- presence of severe neurological or medical diseases such as neoplasms in activity, neurodegenerative diseases and chronic diseases uncompensated.
Sites / Locations
- Centro de Atencao Integrada à Saúde MentalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS)
Sham
TNS active group TNS will be applied by the external simulator EMS400. The stimulation will be conducted at a frequency of 120 Hz with pulse duration of 200 microseconds. The current intensity will be individually established and should be equivalent to a slight feeling of not painful paresthesia (approximately 0.5-2mA). The stimulus generates a pulse and asymmetric biphasic waveform. Electrodes (25cm2) will be placed on the forehead just above the supraorbital foramen bilaterally.
TNS sham The placebo intervention will consist of an initial stimulation until a mild paresthesia is achieved, and then turn off the machine after 60 seconds, after which period there is a tendency of reduction natural feeling secondary to skin sensitization paresthesia.