The investigators purpose is to follow remitted patients from their previous study using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); as to verify whether this treatment prevents relapse.
Our first ongoing study (Efficacy Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Treat Major Depressive Disorder) addresses whether tDCS is an effective treatment for depression treatment. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether tDCS is also an effective strategy for sustaining remission. We will enroll patients who presented remission using tDCS from our previous study and offer them to tDCS every other week for three months, than once a month for another three months. We will address whether tDCS prevents relapse by assessing depression scores once a month, using a time-to-event analysis. The importance of the present study is to determine whether tDCS is able to sustain remission during long-term follow-up of depressed patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
42
tDCS will be applied at 2mA/30 minutes, every other week during the first three months than once a month during the next three months.
University of Sao Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Relapse from depression
Once a month, we will address whether the patient has relapsed. Relapse criteria: * 2 consecutive MADRS scores \> 12 or * any MADRS scores \> 15 or * suicidal attempt or * severe suicidal ideation or * psychiatric hospitalization
Time frame: Week 4
Relapse from depression
Same as above.
Time frame: Week 8
Relapse from depression
Same as above.
Time frame: Week 12
Relapse from depression
Same as above.
Time frame: Week 16
Relapse from depression
Same as above.
Time frame: Week 20
Relapse from depression
Same as above.
Time frame: Week 24
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