Recruiting

Testing Two Brain Stimulation Coils for Teen Depression

Plain-English translation of NCT06728280 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS)—a non-invasive brain stimulation procedure—as a treatment for major depression in adolescents and young adults. Researchers want to compare two different coil designs to see which one works better and is safer for teens with depression. Previous studies in adults have shown promising results, but we need more information about how well this works specifically for younger patients.

While this brain stimulation treatment has helped some adults with depression, very little research has been done to see if it's effective and safe for teenagers. This trial aims to fill that gap and give doctors more options for treating teen depression, especially for young people whose depression hasn't improved with other treatments.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 11 and 23 years old and right-handed
you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to standard diagnostic criteria
you are currently experiencing a depressive episode with moderate to severe symptoms
you are willing and able to commit to treatment sessions 5 days a week for 4 weeks
you understand the study procedures and are willing to sign an informed consent form

You likely don't qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders besides major depression
you have a history of seizures, epilepsy, brain tumors, or serious head injuries
you have significant suicide risk or have attempted suicide in the past 6 months
you have metal or electronic implants that would make magnetic resonance imaging or brain stimulation unsafe
you have previously received electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or similar brain stimulation treatments

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you would receive daily brain stimulation sessions 5 days a week for 4 consecutive weeks—that's about 20 sessions total. Each session takes roughly 20 minutes and involves wearing a special coil on your scalp that delivers magnetic pulses to specific areas of your brain. Researchers will check your individual stimulation settings weekly to make sure the treatment is safe and tailored to you. You'll complete questionnaires and interviews before, during, and after treatment to measure how your depression symptoms change.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

China

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Taiyuan, Shanxi