Clinical trials
ECT clinical trials
Below are recruiting ect clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 24 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05699226Recruiting
Testing whether adjusting ECT treatment helps depression outcomes
This study tests a way of adjusting (titrating) ECT treatment to improve outcomes in people with major depression or bipolar II. It’s mainly for those who already need ECT with right-side electrode placement.
Albuquerque, New MexicoAges 50 years+ - NCT03272698RecruitingPhase 4
Ketamine plus ECT versus higher-dose ketamine with rescue
This study compares two ways of using ketamine with ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) in people with treatment-resistant depression. It aims to find whether a higher-dose ketamine approach, with extra rescue measures, works better or more safely.
Saskatoon, SaskatchewanAges 18 years+ - NCT06034821Enrolling by invitationPhase 4
ECT vs. ketamine for suicidal depression in adults
This trial compares two treatments—ECT (electroconvulsive therapy, which uses electrical stimulation) and ketamine (a medicine given as a shot)—to see which works better for quickly reducing suicidal depression. It is for adults who are in a severe depressive episode with active suicidal thoughts.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT05655754RecruitingPhase 4
Tests anesthesia options for ECT in severe depression
This trial compares two anesthesia medicines—esketamine plus propofol versus methohexital—for people receiving ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) for severe depression. The goal is to see which anesthesia approach works better and is safer for patients during ECT.
ViennaAges 18 years+ - NCT07247968RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Esketamine with ECT for severe depression in teens
This study tests whether adding a low dose of esketamine (a type of anesthesia) to modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) helps treat severe depression in teenagers. It aims to see if this combination works better and is safer than ECT alone.
ChongqingAges 13–17 - NCT06409325Recruiting
Magnetic Seizure vs. Electric Shock for Depression
This study compares two brain stimulation treatments—Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)—to see which works better for severe depression. If you are on a stable antidepressant and haven't had recent brain stimulation, this trial may be an option for you.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT07619092Recruiting
Flumazenil to reverse sedation during depression treatment
This trial tests whether flumazenil (a medication that reverses sedation from anti-anxiety drugs) can safely help patients wake up faster after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment for severe depression. The goal is to see if it improves recovery time without causing problems.
Frederiksberg, Capital RegionAges 18 years+ - NCT07546526Enrolling by invitation
Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety During ECT Treatment
This study tests whether wearing a virtual reality headset that shows relaxing scenes can help reduce anxiety in patients receiving ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) for depression. ECT is a medical procedure that uses electrical currents to help severe depression, and this trial explores whether VR can make the experience less stressful.
BrusselsAges 18–75 - NCT07656857Recruiting
Flexible brain sensor study for epilepsy surgery
This trial tests a new flexible brain sensor to help guide surgery for people with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. It aims to find exactly where seizures start so surgeons can remove that area safely.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 3–60 - NCT07527234Enrolling by invitation
Testing a cognitive assessment tool for ECT patients
This study evaluates a cognitive assessment tool (ECCA) in Turkish patients who are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a brain-stimulation treatment for severe depression or other psychiatric conditions. Researchers want to see how well this assessment works and compare it to other existing tests.
DenizliAges 18–65 - NCT05923801Recruiting
Optimizing ECT treatment for difficult depression
This trial studies better ways to deliver ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) for people with difficult-to-treat depression, including some people with bipolar depression. You may be offered an ECT strategy that’s tailored to your situation, with the goal of improving outcomes and reducing problems.
KortenbergAges 18 years+ - NCT07748091Recruiting
Brain wave and inflammation markers in shock therapy for depression
This study looks at brain wave patterns and markers of inflammation in people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments and who are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, also known as shock therapy). The goal is to understand how these markers might relate to how well ECT works.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 18–60 - NCT07740694Recruiting
ECT study for older adults with depression
This study looks at how ECT affects brain activity and inflammation in older adults with depression. It may help researchers understand why ECT works and improve treatment.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 55 years+ - NCT07534475Recruiting
Tourniquet Type for Monitoring Brain Activity During ECT
This study compares two types of arm tourniquets (blood-pressure cuffs) used during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to help doctors monitor seizure activity more accurately. ECT is a treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric conditions, and tourniquets help track how well the treatment is working.
IstanbulAges 18–65 - NCT04080778Recruiting
Magnetic seizure treatment for severe bipolar or hard-to-treat depression
This trial studies whether a seizure-like therapy using magnet stimulation can quickly reduce severe depressive symptoms in people with bipolar depression or treatment-resistant depression. It may help when depression is intense and hasn’t improved enough with at least two antidepressant medicines.
Houston, TexasAges 22–85 - NCT04477434Recruiting
Study of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) patients in France
This trial follows people who have been referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment used for certain severe mental health conditions. The study aims to learn about how ECT is used in real-world care and what outcomes may look like for patients.
AngersAges Any age - NCT04480918Recruiting
Registry for people with depression or bipolar to receive psychiatry care
This is a patient registry that enrolls people being evaluated for treatment options from an Interventional Psychiatry Service. It helps track patients with depression, bipolar disorder, or treatment-resistant OCD who are suitable for these psychiatry treatments.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–99 - NCT05973643Recruiting
Metabolomics study during ECT for depression
This study measures changes in your blood and/or body chemistry while you receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for a severe mood episode. The goal is to understand biological signals related to ECT and treatment-resistant depression, which may help improve future care.
BronAges 18 years+ - NCT06672588Recruiting
Magnetic seizure therapy for schizophrenia
This trial tests a new type of brain stimulation called magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for people with schizophrenia who haven't gotten better with standard medicines. The goal is to see if MST can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations or confusion.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT06753136Recruiting
Electrochemotherapy for internal organ tumors
This trial tests a treatment called electrochemotherapy for tumors in internal organs (like the liver or pancreas) when standard treatments are no longer possible. It uses a drug called bleomycin plus electric pulses to target cancer cells.
PadovaAges 18–99 - NCT07088380RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine combined with ECT for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests whether adding ketamine to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) works better than ECT alone for people with depression that hasn't improved with at least two different antidepressants. It may offer a new option for those who have not found relief from standard treatments.
MilanAges 18–70 - NCT07115628Recruiting
Accelerated TMS for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests an accelerated form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for people with treatment-resistant depression who have been referred for ECT. It aims to offer a non-invasive, less intensive alternative with fewer side effects.
Jette, Brussels CapitalAges 18–70 - NCT07301866RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing an improved dose of UM171 for cord blood transplant
This trial tests a higher dose of UM171 to make cord blood transplants safer and more effective for people with certain blood cancers or bone marrow diseases. It aims to help patients who don't have a suitable donor.
Montreal, QuebecAges 18–67 - NCT07443475RecruitingPhase 2
Electric field therapy for vulvar cancer that has come back
This trial tests whether a targeted electric current can improve treatment for vulvar cancer that has returned after standard therapy. The treatment uses electricity to help chemotherapy drugs enter cancer cells more effectively.
LjubljanaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for ect?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 24 recruiting ect studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a ect trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a ect trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.