RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Home-Based tDCS for Depression in BPD

This study is exploring a new treatment called tDCS, which uses gentle electrical currents, for people with depression related to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The main goal is to find out if this treatment can be safely and easily used at home, particularly for people living in remote areas. Researchers also want to see if these home-based tDCS sessions can help lessen feelings of sadness and improve BPD symptoms. They will also look at how it affects things like sleep, anxiety, and daily activities, and if a smartwatch can help track these changes. Half the participants will get the active treatment, and the other half will get a dummy treatment to compare the effects. This will help understand if this new approach can be a helpful option for many people.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)Borderline Personality Disorders

What is this study about?

This study is investigating a new way to help people who experience depression as a part of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD can often come with severe depression, making it hard for people to feel better with usual treatments. This research is trying out a gentle brain stimulation method called tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) that can be done at home.

The main aim is to see if using this tDCS device at home is practical and safe for people, no matter where they live – in cities or more remote areas. Beyond just practicality, the study also plans to get an early idea of how effective this treatment might be. They want to know if having 14 sessions of tDCS at home can help reduce feelings of depression and improve BPD symptoms for those who are struggling.

The study also has some exciting extra goals. Researchers will be looking at how tDCS might affect other aspects of life, such as anxiety, sleep patterns, how much people move around (physical activity), and even thinking skills. They're also curious if factors like age or background might affect how well someone responds to the treatment. Plus, they're exploring if a smartwatch could be a useful tool to help track how people are doing throughout the study. Finally, they will gather information on a special online learning program for people with BPD to see if it helps.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new home-based treatment (tDCS) for depression in BPD.
It aims to see if the treatment is practical and helps reduce depressive and BPD symptoms.
Participants will use a tDCS device at home for 14 sessions over one week.
The study also looks at how tDCS affects sleep, anxiety, and daily activities.
A smartwatch might be used to track changes in health and wellbeing.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old and have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with moderate depression. You'll need to be able to give your consent (permission) to join and understand either English or French. It's important that you have a doctor or mental health professional looking after you and that any treatments you're currently receiving (like medication or therapy) are stable and not likely to change during the study.

You'll also need to have internet access and a smartphone, as well as feel comfortable learning to use the tDCS device on your own. Part of the process involves picking up and returning the device from the study site.

However, there are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. These include having a history of epilepsy, certain medical conditions that might make tDCS unsafe (like previous brain surgery or specific scalp issues), a history of bipolar disorder, being pregnant, or currently using certain types of brain stimulation or a medication called benzodiazepines.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with moderate depression?
Do you have internet access and a smartphone?
Are you comfortable learning to use a device independently?
Do you *not* have a history of epilepsy or bipolar disorder?
Are you *not* pregnant and *not* currently using specific brain stimulation treatments or certain medications (benzodiazepines)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll first take part in an online psychoeducation program (a learning program). After this, you'll be randomly assigned to either receive the active tDCS treatment or a 'sham' tDCS, which feels like the real thing but doesn't deliver the active stimulation. You won't know which one you're getting, nor will the researchers. You'll complete 14 sessions of this treatment at home over one week.

Throughout the study, you'll have several assessments. These include answering questions about your mood and mind, and doing some brain-focused tasks. These assessments will happen at the very beginning (baseline), right after your treatment week, and then again 6 weeks later. You'll also wear a device similar to a smartwatch (called an actigraphy monitor) and fill out questionnaires to help researchers understand your sleep, physical activity, and overall mental health. The total duration of active participation, including follow-up, will be around 3 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some potential benefits, such as potentially experiencing a reduction in your depressive symptoms and BPD symptoms if you receive the active tDCS. You will also receive careful monitoring and support from the research team. However, as with any research, there might be risks, though tDCS is generally considered safe. Potential side effects are usually mild, like a tingling sensation or redness on the scalp. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

IUSMM
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is tDCS?

tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a mild electrical current delivered through electrodes placed on the scalp. It aims to gently change brain activity.

What is 'sham' tDCS?

Sham tDCS is a 'dummy' treatment. It looks and feels like the real tDCS for a short time at the start, but it doesn't deliver the full active stimulation. This helps researchers compare the real treatment's effects.

Will I have to travel for the study?

You will need to pick up and return the tDCS device, but the treatments themselves and some assessments will be done at home. There will also be online activities.

What does 'Feasibility' mean in this study?

Feasibility means whether something is practical and can be done. Here, it means checking if home-based tDCS can be effectively and safely delivered to people, especially those in different locations.

Will I know if I'm getting the real treatment?

No, this is a 'double-blind' study, meaning neither you nor the research team will know if you're getting the active tDCS or the sham treatment until the study is over.

How to find out more

Lionel Cailhol, MD, PhD

lionel.cailhol.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca 514-251-4000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.