Home treatment combining brain stimulation and cognitive training for breast cancer-related depression

Intervention With Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Training for Depressive Symptomatology Associated With Breast Cancer (ONCODEP)

Not applicable Interventional University of Santiago de Compostela · NCT06053775

This study is testing a new home treatment that combines brain stimulation and online brain training to see if it can help improve mood and thinking skills in breast cancer patients dealing with depression.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages30 Years to 65 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Santiago de Compostela Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsChemotherapy, Immunotherapy
Locations2 sites (Santiago De Compostela, A Coruña and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06053775 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate a home-delivered intervention that integrates Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation techniques, specifically transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation (tDCS and tACS), with Online Cognitive Training (OCT) to address depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in breast cancer patients. Participants will be divided into four groups to receive either OCT alone or in combination with active or sham tDCS/tACS. The study will assess the efficacy and feasibility of this intervention, as well as its medium and long-term effects on patients' mental health and cognitive functioning. Additionally, saliva samples will be collected to identify biomarkers that may predict treatment response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include early-stage breast cancer patients who are currently undergoing or have recently completed oncological treatment and are experiencing depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with metastatic breast cancer or a history of psychiatric or cognitive disorders prior to their cancer diagnosis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the mental health and cognitive functioning of breast cancer patients experiencing depressive symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have shown promise in treating depressive symptoms, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of breast cancer in early stages (life expectancy greater than 12 months).
* Patients who are receiving or have finished (maximum 6 months prior to participation in the participating in the study) some type of oncological treatment (Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Immunotherapy, Hormonal Therapy).
* Patients whose mother tongue is Galician or Spanish.
* Ability to give informed consent.
* Present depressive symptomatology: score of 4 or higher in the BDI-FS.
* Ability to use WhastApp
* Have access to some technology (desktop computer, laptop or tablet) and the Internet (Firefox or Chrome browsers).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* Patients with metastasis.
* Patients with a history of psychiatric symptomatology (depressive disorder, bipolar,anxious, psychotic...) prior to the oncological process.
* Patients with a history of cognitive impairment or dementia prior to the oncologic process.

oncological process.

* Patients with a history of neurosurgery, cortical lesions or neurological alterations prior to the oncological process.
* Patients with history or current consumption of non-prescribed drugs.
* Patients with the following medication regimen: mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, l-dopa, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan, flunarizine, sulpiride, use of benzodiazepines (excluding long half-life benzodiazepines (Bromazepam, Diazepam) on a continuous/habitual basis,Alprazolam \>1mg per day, Lorazepam \>2mg per day).
* Patients taking antidepressant medication should have a stable regimen ( same medication at the same dose for a minimum of four weeks prior to entering the study.The regimen with antidepressant drugs or drugs used as treatment to improve cognition should be kept stable during the entire participation (until the follow-up evaluation has been performed).
* Patients unable to complete a neuropsychological examination.
* Patients who are participating in a research study/clinical trial with drugs.
* Patients who present any condition contraindicated to undergo tES (intracranial ferromagnetic devices or implanted stimulators; history of active epilepsy; history of neurosurgery, traumatic brain injury with loss of brainwith loss of consciousness and/or cortical lesion) (Antal et al., 2017)

Where this trial is running

Santiago De Compostela, A Coruña and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Depressive SymptomsCognitive ImpairmentNon-Invasive Brain StimulationCognitive TrainingCognitve ImpairmentBreast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.