Back to search results

Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation for Depression in Parkinson's Patients

This study is looking at whether a low voltage electrical stimulation device, called BIOPAC Stimsola, can help improve depressive symptoms in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Researchers want to see if this treatment can reduce depression and apathy, normalize brain activity (cortical eeg alpha asymmetry), and improve working memory. You could be eligible if you are between 19 and 65 years old, have a Parkinson's diagnosis, and show elevated levels of depression (Beck Depression Inventory score of 20 or higher). The study is currently recruiting 40 participants, but the overall status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 40 participants. It compares active BIOPAC Stimsola treatment to a sham (inactive) treatment.
What's involved
You would complete self-report questionnaires and memory tests, and have brain activity (EEG) recorded before and after treatment. You would also participate in 15 sessions of electrical stimulation, each lasting 46 minutes, over 4-5 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your depression, brain activity, and working memory will be measured at the start of the study and again after 15 treatment sessions, typically 4 weeks after the study begins.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06467695

Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation for Depression in Parkinson's Patients

Recruiting
NAAges 19–65InterventionalTreatment
University of South Alabama
~40 participants
Updated 2026-04-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:BIOPAC StimsolaBIOPAC Stimsola Sham (zero amps)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Pre-post change score
Measured over One at Day 1 and one after 15 sessions of training, typically 4 weeks after study start.
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Parkinson Disease
Depressive Symptoms

Explore related trials

Parkinson DiseaseSymptoms of depression

NCT06467695

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of South Alabama

    Mobile, Alabamano site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • John Shelley-Tremblay, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · 2514606883

Who to contact

John F Shelley-Tremblay, PhD
[email protected]
2514606883
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

19 to 65 years in age.
Parkinson's Group must have a physician dx of Parkinson's Disease
Must meet exhibit elevated levels of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory (scores of 20 or above).
Must be willing and able to travel of the Psychology Department for EEG and tDCS sessions.
Participants who have undergone surgery for Deep Brain Stimulation implantation may be enrolled if advised to and monitored by their physician.
Read and understand spoken English.

Exclusion

No history of or being treated for epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
No history of penetrating head wounds or TBI greater than mild TBI.
No history of atypical Parkinson's

What this trial measures

  • Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Pre-post change scoreOne at Day 1 and one after 15 sessions of training, typically 4 weeks after study start.

    The BDI, a self-report measure for assessing depression, has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha \> .90) and good test-retest reliability.

  • Alpha band power pre-post change scoreOne at Day 1 and one after 15 sessions of training, typically 4 weeks after study start.

    Alpha band power from pre-post eeg records will be assessed for power changes at frontal sites.

  • RBANS Working MemoryOne at Day 1 and one after 15 sessions of training, typically 4 weeks after study start.

    Digit Span and Story Memory subtests will be used to determine changes in working memory.