Depression is a common and serious complication after stroke that can have significant negative consequences for quality of life. Brain stimulation is a new treatment which has shown promising signs for treating depression, but its efficacy in post-stroke depression is not yet proven. The treatment involves weak and painless electrical currents passing through the scalp. It’s thought that these electrical currents can be targeted to brain networks which might be altered in depression.
About the study
The purpose of this study is to investigate how different brain characteristics after stroke might enable a greater response to this depression treatment. Determining who might respond best to this treatment is likely to improve our ability to use this form of treatment clinically to reliably help people suffering depression following stroke.
What you are required to do
Participants in this study will be required to attend an MRI scan at Dr Jones and Partners (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, SAHMRI). This scan will have a duration of 30-40 minutes and does not incur any cost to you. Following this, participants will complete ten treatment sessions over a period of two weeks. Each session will involve brain stimulation as a treatment as well as some measure to test the effectiveness of this treatment.
Eligibility Requirements
This study is looking for people aged 18 and over who have experienced stroke and may be depressed. We will conduct an eligibility screen using a common questionnaire for depression. Participants who score higher than the cut-off for inclusion will be invited to partake in the study.
Benefits
There are no costs for the MRI scan and treatments. All participants will receive a treatment for depression.
Contact details for more information
If you would like more information and/or would like to express your interest in participating please contact unisa.researchvolunteers@unisa.edu.au, or phone: 8302 1365
This project has been approved by the University of South Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee (Ethics Protocol 200697).
