Open Studies
If you are depressed or anxious, you may qualify for participation in one of our ongoing clinical trials of non-invasive neurostimulation for the treatment of anxiety depression. All of our research studies are approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and are directed by experienced psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and researchers. Find out more about our depression trials by clicking on the icons below.
At-Home Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Young Adults: Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Study Purpose:
Investigate the efficacy of an at-home brain stimulation device for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in young adults.
Target Population:
Young adults (18-21) diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Compensation:
Up to $500
Participants may qualify if they:
Study Procedures:
Interested?
Find out if you are eligible with our brief and secure online screening survey: bit.ly/cesgad_ccn
Have questions?
Please email [email protected] with any questions and a member of our research team will reach back out!
IRB #22-3341: If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, you may contact the UNC Institutional Review Board at contact [email protected].
Study Purpose:
Investigate the efficacy of an at-home brain stimulation device for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in young adults.
Target Population:
Young adults (18-21) diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Compensation:
Up to $500
Participants may qualify if they:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 21 years old
- Regularly experiencing anxiety symptoms
- Are not diagnosed with psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or substance-use disorder
Study Procedures:
- Remote screening interview
- Two-in person visits
- 6 weeks of daily at-home brain stimulation with questionnaires and weekly check-ins
- 5 weeks of online follow-up questionnaires
- Final phone interview
Interested?
Find out if you are eligible with our brief and secure online screening survey: bit.ly/cesgad_ccn
Have questions?
Please email [email protected] with any questions and a member of our research team will reach back out!
IRB #22-3341: If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, you may contact the UNC Institutional Review Board at contact [email protected].
Treatment trial for Major Depressive Disorder using non-invasive brain stimulation
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether five days of personalized non-invasive brain stimulation can improve depression in people aged 18-70 who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Target Population:
Adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder with current depressive symptoms.
Time Commitment:
Filling out a prescreening questionnaire (about 3-5 minutes), 1x virtual screening session (about 45 minutes-1hr), an optional MRI session (15 min MRI; 1 hr total session), 5x in-person stimulation sessions (Monday to Friday, about 3.5 hrs on Mon and Fri and 1.5 hours on Tue-Thu, scheduled flexibly; includes high density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) on Monday and Friday), and 1x in person follow-up session two weeks later (approximately 1.5 hours, including HD-EEG). Total participation time is about 14 hours over 3 weeks.
Compensation:
Up to $430 upon completion of the in-person session.
Participants may qualify if they:
You can check your eligibility with our brief and secure online screening tool: https://bit.ly/CLACS-CW
Questions:
For any questions please contact the research team at CLACS-RCT@med.unc.edu
IRB: #24-2166
If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, you may contact the Sterling Institutional Review Board Regulatory Department at telephone number 1-888-636-1062 (toll free) or [email protected].
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether five days of personalized non-invasive brain stimulation can improve depression in people aged 18-70 who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Target Population:
Adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder with current depressive symptoms.
Time Commitment:
Filling out a prescreening questionnaire (about 3-5 minutes), 1x virtual screening session (about 45 minutes-1hr), an optional MRI session (15 min MRI; 1 hr total session), 5x in-person stimulation sessions (Monday to Friday, about 3.5 hrs on Mon and Fri and 1.5 hours on Tue-Thu, scheduled flexibly; includes high density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) on Monday and Friday), and 1x in person follow-up session two weeks later (approximately 1.5 hours, including HD-EEG). Total participation time is about 14 hours over 3 weeks.
Compensation:
Up to $430 upon completion of the in-person session.
Participants may qualify if they:
- Are between the ages of 18-70 years
- Have a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
- Have NOT been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder, Schizophrenia or Autism
You can check your eligibility with our brief and secure online screening tool: https://bit.ly/CLACS-CW
Questions:
For any questions please contact the research team at CLACS-RCT@med.unc.edu
IRB: #24-2166
If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, you may contact the Sterling Institutional Review Board Regulatory Department at telephone number 1-888-636-1062 (toll free) or [email protected].
Inter-brain Synchronization of the Therapist-Client Dyad in Psychotherapy: Pilot EEG Study in Students with Mild-Moderate Depression Symptoms
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to examine the brain activity of therapist and client during a single session intervention for depression symptoms. This research study is investigative and not intended as a form of treatment.
Target Population:
Full-time students between ages of 18 and 30 who experience depression symptoms.
Compensation:
Up to $65
Participants may qualify if they:
Study Procedures:
Interested?
Find out if you are eligible with our brief and secure online screening survey: bit.ly/hyperscan-fl
Have questions?
Please email [email protected] with any questions and a member of our research team will reach back out!
IRB #22-1422: If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject you may contact the UNC Institutional Review Board at contact [email protected].
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to examine the brain activity of therapist and client during a single session intervention for depression symptoms. This research study is investigative and not intended as a form of treatment.
Target Population:
Full-time students between ages of 18 and 30 who experience depression symptoms.
Compensation:
Up to $65
Participants may qualify if they:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 30
- Are a full-time student (undergraduate, graduate, professional)
- Experience depression symptoms
Study Procedures:
- Remote screening interview
- 3 sets of questionnaires
- In-person single session intervention for depression symptoms
- Brain activity will be recorded
Interested?
Find out if you are eligible with our brief and secure online screening survey: bit.ly/hyperscan-fl
Have questions?
Please email [email protected] with any questions and a member of our research team will reach back out!
IRB #22-1422: If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject you may contact the UNC Institutional Review Board at contact [email protected].