Electroconvulsive therapy versus magnetic seizure therapy for major depression

Multimodal Clinical Study of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Magnetic Seizure Therapy

This project will test whether magnetic seizure therapy or electroconvulsive therapy works better and is easier to tolerate for people aged 12–80 with major depressive disorder.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Hefei, Anhui)
• Trial ID: NCT07473648 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional comparison enrolls patients aged 12–80 with DSM-5–confirmed major depressive disorder, stabilized on medication, who are indicated for neuromodulation or have visual field defects, alongside healthy controls. Participants receive either electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or magnetic seizure therapy (MST) with repeated clinical, cognitive, and behavioral assessments. Neurophysiological measures such as EEG and resting-state fMRI are collected to characterize treatment effects and mechanisms. Tolerability, cognitive outcomes, and depressive symptoms are compared between the two intervention groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 12–80 with major depressive disorder confirmed by two psychiatrists, on a stable medication regimen, and indicated for neuromodulation or with visual field defects.

Not a fit: Patients with major systemic diseases, prior neuromodulation within 3 months, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, metal implants or claustrophobia, or without diagnosed major depressive disorder are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify a treatment that relieves depression with fewer cognitive side effects than standard electroconvulsive therapy.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller clinical and pilot studies have suggested MST can produce antidepressant effects comparable to ECT with fewer cognitive side effects, but large definitive trials remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Patients Inclusion Criteria:

Aged 12-80 years; Diagnosis confirmed by two psychiatrists per DSM-5; Stable medication regimen pre-enrollment; Indicated for neuromodulation OR with visual field defects.

Patients Exclusion Criteria:

Major systemic diseases; Prior neuromodulation within 3 months; Pregnancy or potential pregnancy; Metal implants or claustrophobia.

Healthy Control Inclusion Criteria:

Aged 12-80 years; No history of neuropsychiatric disorders; No significant systemic diseases; Normal or corrected vision.

Healthy Control Exclusion Criteria:

Metal implants or claustrophobia; Ocular diseases or surgery history.

Where this trial is running

Hefei, Anhui

• Anhui Medical University — Hefei, Anhui, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yanghua Tian PhD

Conditions Electroconvulsive Therapy; Major Depressive Disorder; Magnetic Seizure Therapy; Electroencephalography; Resting-state Functional MRI