Clinical trials
Electroconvulsive Therapy clinical trials
Below are recruiting electroconvulsive therapy clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 23 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07350278Recruiting
VR vs. mannequin training for ECT
This study tests if virtual reality training works as well as high-fidelity mannequin training for teaching medical students about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, a treatment for severe depression).
Toronto, OntarioAges Any age - NCT05515159Enrolling by invitation
Blood tests during electroconvulsive therapy
This study looks at blood markers (substances in blood) measured during electroconvulsive therapy, to understand how the treatment is working in the body. If you’re already being considered for ECT, you may be asked for blood samples as part of this research.
BergenAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT07473648Recruiting
A trial of ECT and magnetic seizure therapy for mood disorders
This study compares two types of brain stimulation treatments—electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetic seizure therapy (MST)—to see which works better for people with certain mental health conditions. It may be an option if you have a mood disorder or vision problems that could be helped by these treatments.
Hefei, AnhuiAges 12–80 - NCT04763655Recruiting
Testing brain signals to predict response to ECT
This study looks at “neural biomarkers,” or brain-measurement signals, to see who is most likely to benefit from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It focuses on people with certain active psychosis symptoms and specific mental health diagnoses who have tried antipsychotic medication without enough improvement.
Glen Oaks, New YorkAges 18–80 - 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+ - NCT05388461Recruiting
Follow-up after ECT for major depression
This study checks how well electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) works for people with major depression right after treatment and again 6 months later. You may be able to take part if you had ECT for major depression at the specified hospitals and agree to be included in a neurostimulation follow-up registry.
BergenAges 18 years+ - NCT07533773Recruiting
Brain Activity Changes After Depression Treatment
This study measures how brain activity in specific regions changes after you receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for severe depression. Researchers use a non-invasive headband to monitor blood flow in your brain before and after treatment to better understand how these therapies work.
Hefei, AnhuiAges 12–65 - NCT06817330Recruiting
Music therapy after ECT for depression
This trial tests if listening to music after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) helps reduce confusion or agitation. It may help people being treated for depression feel calmer after their procedure.
RotterdamAges 18 years+ - NCT05630469Recruiting
Predicting who will benefit from electroconvulsive therapy
This study looks for ways to predict how well electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) will work for severe depression. It may help doctors choose the best treatment approach and timing for future patients.
ViennaAges 18–65 - NCT04057378RecruitingPhase 4
Testing the best electrical settings for ECT for depression
This trial studies which electrical “pulse settings” work best during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with depression. It may help doctors personalize ECT so the treatment is safer and works as well as possible for you.
ÖrebroAges 18 years+ - NCT06456983Recruiting
Maintenance ECT for hard-to-treat schizophrenia
This trial tests if regular electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can help people whose schizophrenia has not improved with clozapine or who cannot take clozapine. Researchers will see if maintenance ECT helps prevent symptoms from returning.
AachenAges 18–75 - NCT07324070Recruiting
Adding TMS to ECT for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether adding TMS to ECT can better treat depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. It is for adults with moderate to severe major depression who haven't had these treatments recently.
Prague, CzechAges 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+ - 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 - NCT06529029RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Comparing new low-pulse ECT to standard ECT for depression
This trial tests a new type of seizure therapy (low amplitude pulse seizure therapy) against the standard ultra-brief right unilateral ECT for people with severe depression, including those with suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see which treatment works better.
Grand Rapids, MichiganAges 18–90 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - NCT05905705Recruiting
ECT plus a sleep monitor for treatment-resistant depression
This study looks at how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) affects brain activity and sleep patterns in people with difficult-to-treat depression. It uses a wearable sleep monitor (the Dreem device) to record sleep while you receive ECT.
St Louis, MissouriAges 21–65 - 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for electroconvulsive therapy?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 23 recruiting electroconvulsive therapy 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 electroconvulsive therapy 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 electroconvulsive therapy 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.