Using tDCS to improve emotional health in young adults with mild depressive symptoms
Utilizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Alleviate Subthreshold Depression Via Distinct Positive and Negative Emotion Pathways
This study will test whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve mood, motivation, and emotion regulation in 18–35-year-olds with subthreshold depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07319143 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Young adults aged 18–35 with subthreshold depressive symptoms (C-BDI-II ≥ 13) are screened online and in person and then randomized to receive active tDCS targeted to either the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, or to receive sham stimulation. Emotional function outcomes such as mood regulation, motivation, and positive/negative affect are compared across the three groups. Key eligibility requirements include fluency in Cantonese or Mandarin, right-handedness, minimum education, and absence of major medical or psychiatric disorders or recent psychotropic medication. The protocol uses noninvasive neuromodulation (tDCS) with standard safety exclusions for brain injury, implants, pregnancy, and recent neuromodulation exposure.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 18–35-year-olds fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin, right-handed, with C-BDI-II scores ≥ 13, at least 9 years of education, and no major medical or psychiatric disorders or recent psychotropic medication use.
Not a fit: People with current or past major psychiatric or neurological disorders, recent psychotropic medication use, pregnancy, brain implants, other tDCS contraindications, or who cannot attend in-person sessions are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, tDCS could provide a non-drug, low-risk option to reduce depressive symptoms and improve emotion regulation in young adults with subthreshold depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous tDCS studies have shown modest and mixed benefits for depressive symptoms and emotional regulation, but directly comparing left DLPFC versus right VLPFC stimulation for subthreshold depression is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-35 years * Fluency in Cantonese or Mandarin * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing * IQ \> 75% Quantile in Raven's SPM * At least 9 years of formal education * Right-handedness Exclusion Criteria: * Past or current major physical illness or psychiatric disorders * Use of psychotropic medication in the past 6 months * Pregnancy (for women) * Any condition that prevents safe tDCS use (e.g., brain injury, implants) * Previous participation in neuromodulation in the past 3 months
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- The University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Associate Professor, Principle Investigator
- Email: rshao@hku.hk
- Phone: +852-3917-8927
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.