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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method
Published on: August 2, 2021
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in major depressive disorder with anxious
Danwei Zhang1, Bei Zhao1, Xue Sun2
1Department of Psychology, Zhenjiang Mental Health Center, No. 199 Tuanshan Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212001, China.
Background:
Comorbid anxiety disorders and anxious distress are highly prevalent among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). The presence of the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier (ADS) has been associated with worse treatment outcomes and chronic disease course. Few studies have evaluated the therapeutic effects of High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on depressive and anxiety symptoms among MDD patients with ADS. The current randomized controlled trial aims to assess the efficacy of HD-tDCS as an augmentation therapy with antidepressants compared to sham-control in subjects of MDD with ADS.
Methods:
MDD patients with ADS will be recruited and randomly assigned to the active HD-tDCS or sham HD-tDCS group. In both groups, patients will receive the active or sham intervention in addition to their pre-existing antidepressant therapy, for 2 weeks with 5 sessions per week, each lasting 30 min. The primary outcome measures will be the change of depressive symptoms, clinical response, and the remission rate as measured with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) before and after the intervention and at the 2nd and 6th week after the completed intervention. Secondary outcome measures include anxiety symptoms, cognitive symptoms, disability assessment, and adverse effects.
Discussion:
The HD-tDCS applied in this trial may have treatment effects on MDD with ADS and have minimal side effects.
Trial Registration:
The trial protocol is registered with www.chictr.org.cn under protocol registration number ChiCTR2300071726. Registered 23 May 2023.
