Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Different Psychiatric Disorders (Transcranial)

March 4, 2026 updated by: SSalah el-bahy, Menoufia University

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing core symptoms of different psychiatric disorders using validated clinical scales.

  • To assess response and remission rates.
  • To evaluate the durability of treatment effects over follow-up.
  • To examine effects on cognition, daily functioning, and quality of life.
  • To monitor tolerability and adverse events.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
320

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Menofia
      • Cairo, Menofia, Egypt, 32511
        • Faculty of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 16 and 65 years
  • Fulfillment of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for one of the target disorders
  • Stable pharmacological treatment for at least four weeks prior to enrollment (if applicable)
  • Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of epilepsy or seizures
  • Presence of intracranial metallic implants or implanted electronic devices
  • Severe neurological disorders (e.g., brain tumors)
  • Pregnancy
  • Active substance use disorder
  • Severe cognitive impairment or comorbid psychiatric disorders interfering with assessment

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: A comparative cross-sectional study: Major Depressive Disorder
  • Left DLPFC (F3) Anode: F3, Cathode: right supraorbital
  • 2 mA 20-30 min
  • 10 -20 daily )
Device: tDCS Parameters

Preparation:

  • Clean scalp with alcohol to reduce impedance.
  • Apply conductive gel and position electrodes using the 10-20 EEG system.
  • Use rubber electrodes (5×7 cm) for anodal/cathodal placement.

Stimulation:

Ramp-up current over 30 sec to avoid discomfort. Monitor for adverse effects (tingling, itching, headache ).

Post-Stimulation Assessment:

  • Evaluate symptom changes using standardized scales (e.g., HAM-D for depression, Y-BOCS for OCD).
  • Repeat sessions 3-5 times per week.. Safety and Monitoring

Adverse Effects:

Mild skin irritation, headache (rarely seizures-screen high-risk patients(.

Contraindications:

Metallic implants, scalp lesions, epilepsy history. Conclusion tDCS is a promising neuromodulatory tool for psychiatric disorders, with varying protocols based on disorder-specific neural targets.
Experimental: A comparative cross-sectional study: Schizophrenia
  • Left TPJ (P3) + Left DLPFC (F3)
  • Anode: P3, Cathode: F3 (for hallucinations)
  • 2 mA 20 min
  • 10-15
Device: tDCS Parameters

Preparation:

  • Clean scalp with alcohol to reduce impedance.
  • Apply conductive gel and position electrodes using the 10-20 EEG system.
  • Use rubber electrodes (5×7 cm) for anodal/cathodal placement.

Stimulation:

Ramp-up current over 30 sec to avoid discomfort. Monitor for adverse effects (tingling, itching, headache ).

Post-Stimulation Assessment:

  • Evaluate symptom changes using standardized scales (e.g., HAM-D for depression, Y-BOCS for OCD).
  • Repeat sessions 3-5 times per week.. Safety and Monitoring

Adverse Effects:

Mild skin irritation, headache (rarely seizures-screen high-risk patients(.

Contraindications:

Metallic implants, scalp lesions, epilepsy history. Conclusion tDCS is a promising neuromodulatory tool for psychiatric disorders, with varying protocols based on disorder-specific neural targets.
Experimental: A comparative cross-sectional study: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • SMA (Cz) or OFC (Fp1/Fp2)
  • Anode: Cz/Fp1, Cathode: contralateral shoulder
  • 2 mA 20 min
  • 10-20
Device: tDCS Parameters

Preparation:

  • Clean scalp with alcohol to reduce impedance.
  • Apply conductive gel and position electrodes using the 10-20 EEG system.
  • Use rubber electrodes (5×7 cm) for anodal/cathodal placement.

Stimulation:

Ramp-up current over 30 sec to avoid discomfort. Monitor for adverse effects (tingling, itching, headache ).

Post-Stimulation Assessment:

  • Evaluate symptom changes using standardized scales (e.g., HAM-D for depression, Y-BOCS for OCD).
  • Repeat sessions 3-5 times per week.. Safety and Monitoring

Adverse Effects:

Mild skin irritation, headache (rarely seizures-screen high-risk patients(.

Contraindications:

Metallic implants, scalp lesions, epilepsy history. Conclusion tDCS is a promising neuromodulatory tool for psychiatric disorders, with varying protocols based on disorder-specific neural targets.
Experimental: A comparative cross-sectional study ; Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Right DLPFC (F4) or vmPFC
  • Anode: F4, Cathode: left DLPFC (F3)
  • 2 mA -Session duration: 20-30 minutes per session.
  • 10
Device: tDCS Parameters

Preparation:

  • Clean scalp with alcohol to reduce impedance.
  • Apply conductive gel and position electrodes using the 10-20 EEG system.
  • Use rubber electrodes (5×7 cm) for anodal/cathodal placement.

Stimulation:

Ramp-up current over 30 sec to avoid discomfort. Monitor for adverse effects (tingling, itching, headache ).

Post-Stimulation Assessment:

  • Evaluate symptom changes using standardized scales (e.g., HAM-D for depression, Y-BOCS for OCD).
  • Repeat sessions 3-5 times per week.. Safety and Monitoring

Adverse Effects:

Mild skin irritation, headache (rarely seizures-screen high-risk patients(.

Contraindications:

Metallic implants, scalp lesions, epilepsy history. Conclusion tDCS is a promising neuromodulatory tool for psychiatric disorders, with varying protocols based on disorder-specific neural targets.
Experimental: comparative cross-sectional study; Insomnia
  • Left DLPFC (F3) or Parietal (Pz)
  • Anode: F3/Pz, Cathode: contralateral supraorbital
  • 2 mA -Session duration: 20-30 minutes per session.
  • 10 -12
Device: tDCS Parameters

Preparation:

  • Clean scalp with alcohol to reduce impedance.
  • Apply conductive gel and position electrodes using the 10-20 EEG system.
  • Use rubber electrodes (5×7 cm) for anodal/cathodal placement.

Stimulation:

Ramp-up current over 30 sec to avoid discomfort. Monitor for adverse effects (tingling, itching, headache ).

Post-Stimulation Assessment:

  • Evaluate symptom changes using standardized scales (e.g., HAM-D for depression, Y-BOCS for OCD).
  • Repeat sessions 3-5 times per week.. Safety and Monitoring

Adverse Effects:

Mild skin irritation, headache (rarely seizures-screen high-risk patients(.

Contraindications:

Metallic implants, scalp lesions, epilepsy history. Conclusion tDCS is a promising neuromodulatory tool for psychiatric disorders, with varying protocols based on disorder-specific neural targets.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale
Time Frame: The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Depression severity was assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. The total scores on this scale range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 60, with higher scores indicating a greater severity of depressive symptoms (a worse outcome)
The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
Time Frame: The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Symptom severity was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Total scores on this scale range from a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 210, with higher scores indicating a greater severity of symptoms (a worse outcome).
The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
Time Frame: The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
The severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms was measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Total scores on this scale range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 40, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (a worse outcome).
The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7
Time Frame: The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Anxiety severity was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale. Total scores on this scale range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms (a worse outcome).
The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
Insomnia Severity Index - 7 items
Time Frame: The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.
The severity of insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index. Total scores on this scale range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 28, with higher scores indicating more severe insomnia symptoms (a worse outcome).
The assessment period for each participant was 24 weeks from the start of their participation in the study.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Menoufia University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Mohamed Elbahy, Faculty of Medicine
  • Study Director: Mahmoud Abo Salem, Faculty of Medicine

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 11/2025 com7

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after de-identification, will be shared with researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. The data will be available upon reasonable request to the principal investigator starting 6 months after publication. Requestors will need to sign a data access agreement before data is securely transferred

IPD Sharing Time Frame

present

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings