Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 5:49 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-24 @ 5:49 PM
NCT ID:
NCT03903068
Brief Summary:
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common complications after stroke, with a high prevalence. PSD can affect prognosis and rehabilitation of stroke, increase risks of mortality and suicide, and escalate the economic burden on individuals and society. Studies have shown that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can also be used to treat depression, insomnia and anxiety. So far, this stimulator has been approved by FDA. However, there have not been any reports on the use of tACS in the treatment of depression and PSD in China. In this trial, the efficacy and safety of the tACS will be assessed with the rigor methodology manner.
Detailed Description:
Patients with post-stroke depression (PSD) have more dysfunction, poorer recovery outcomes, and higher morbidity and mortality in the first year after stroke onset than those patients without stroke. Some therapeutic methods have shown to be effective for PSD, including antidepressants, non-drug interventions, and combination therapies. However, pharmacological agents not only show unwanted side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness, but also produce high risk of hemorrhagic complications and stroke. Therefore, in addition to antidepressants treating PSD, non-drug interventions have been proposed to treat PSD. Until now, there are various physical techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial ultrasonic stimulation, etc. Previous studies have shown that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is commonly used to relieve pain, and has also been used to treat conditions such as transient tic disorder and cluster headaches. In the brain, there are specific opioid receptors which are not independent, and they work together with the electro analgesic system. Patients treated for chronic pain had lower levels of endorphins in their cerebrospinal fluid. Theoretically, using tACS can alleviate pain was caused by electrical stimulation to activate the brain's pain system (anti-nociceptive system), led to the beta-endorphin, serotonin and norepinephrine release.
Therefore, the study is expected to verify the effect of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on patients with PSD in China and preliminarily explore the variations of gamma and beta-oscillations and cognitive function for the intervention of PSD utilized by it.
Study:
NCT03903068
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT03903068