Study record managers: refer to the Data Element Definitions if submitting registration or results information.
A type of eligibility criteria that indicates whether people who do not have the condition/disease being studied can participate in that clinical study.
An arm type in which a group of participants receives an intervention/treatment considered to be effective (or active) by health care providers.
An unfavorable change in the health of a participant, including abnormal laboratory findings, that happens during a clinical study or within a certain amount of time after the study has ended. This change may or may not be caused by the intervention/treatment being studied.
A type of eligibility criteria that indicates the age a person must be to participate in a clinical study. This may be indicated by a specific age or the following age groups:
The age groups are:
Child (birth-17)
Adult (18-64)
Older Adult (65+)
A measure of all deaths, due to any cause, that occur during a clinical study.
A method used to assign participants to an arm of a clinical study. The types of allocation are randomized allocation and nonrandomized.
A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
A general description of the clinical trial arm. It identifies the role of the intervention that participants receive. Types of arms include experimental arm, active comparator arm, placebo comparator arm, sham comparator arm, and no intervention arm.
Data collected at the beginning of a clinical study for all participants and for each arm or comparison group. These data include demographics, such as age, sex/gender, race and ethnicity, and study-specific measures (for example, systolic blood pressure, prior antidepressant treatment).
Indicates that the study sponsor or investigator recalled a submission of study results before quality control (QC) review took place. If the submission was canceled on or after May 8, 2018, the date is shown. After submission of study results, a study record cannot be modified until QC review is completed, unless the submission is canceled.
Information required by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. In general, this is a description of any agreement between the sponsor of a clinical study and the principal investigator (PI) that does not allow the PI to discuss the results of the study or publish the study results in a scientific or academic journal after the study is completed.
A sponsor or investigator may submit a certification to delay submission of results information if they are applying for FDA approval of a new drug or device, or new use of an already approved drug or device. A sponsor or investigator who submits a certification can delay results submission up to 2 years after the certification/extension first submitted date, unless certain events occur sooner. See Delay Results Type in the Results Data Element definitions for more information about this certification.
The date on which information about a certification to delay submission of results or an extension request was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov. ClinicalTrials.gov does not indicate whether the submission was a certification or extension request. There is typically a delay between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the certification or extension request and the first posted date.
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a certification or an extension request to delay submission of results. A sponsor or investigator who submits a certification can delay results submission up to 2 years after this date, unless certain events occur sooner. There is typically a delay between the date the certification or extension request was submitted and the date the information is first available on ClinicalTrials.gov (certification/extension first posted).
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a certification or an extension request that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a certification or extension request one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria. Meeting QC criteria for an extension request does not mean that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has determined that the request demonstrates good cause. The process for review and granting of extension requests by the NIH is being developed.
In the search feature, the City field is used to find clinical studies with locations in a specific city. The Distance field is used to find studies with locations within the specified distance from a city in number of miles. For example, if you choose Illinois as the state, identifying "Chicago" as the city and "100 miles" as the distance will find all studies listing a location within 100 miles of Chicago.
A research study involving human volunteers (also called participants) that is intended to add to medical knowledge. There are two types of clinical studies: interventional studies (also called clinical trials) and observational studies.
Another name for an interventional study.
The unique identification code given to each clinical study upon registration at ClinicalTrials.gov. The format is "NCT" followed by an 8-digit number (for example, NCT00000419).
An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.
The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
In the search feature, the Country field is used to find clinical studies with locations in a specific country. For example, if you choose the United States, you can then narrow your search by selecting a state and identifying a city and distance.
A type of intervention model describing a clinical trial in which groups of participants receive two or more interventions in a specific order. For example, two-by-two cross-over assignment involves two groups of participants. One group receives drug A during the initial phase of the trial, followed by drug B during a later phase. The other group receives drug B during the initial phase, followed by drug A. So during the trial, participants "cross over" to the other drug. All participants receive drug A and drug B at some point during the trial but in a different order, depending on the group to which they are assigned.
A group of independent scientists who monitor the safety and scientific integrity of a clinical trial. The DMC can recommend to the sponsor that the trial be stopped if it is not effective, is harming participants, or is unlikely to serve its scientific purpose. Members are chosen based on the scientific skills and knowledge needed to monitor the particular trial. Also called a data safety and monitoring board, or DSMB.
A phase of research used to describe exploratory trials conducted before traditional phase 1 trials to investigate how or whether a drug affects the body. They involve very limited human exposure to the drug and have no therapeutic or diagnostic goals (for example, screening studies, microdose studies).
The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.
The number of participants in a clinical study. The "estimated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
A type of eligibility criteria. These are reasons that a person is not allowed to participate in a clinical study.
A way for patients with serious diseases or conditions who cannot participate in a clinical trial to gain access to a medical product that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also called compassionate use. There are different expanded access types.
Available:Expanded access is currently available for this investigational treatment, and patients who are not participants in the clinical study may be able to gain access to the drug, biologic, or medical device being studied.
No longer available:Expanded access was available for this intervention previously but is not currently available and will not be available in the future.
Temporarily not available:Expanded access is not currently available for this intervention but is expected to be available in the future.
Approved for marketing: The intervention has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by the public.
Describes the category of expanded access under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. There are three types of expanded access:
Individual Patients: Allows a single patient, with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a clinical trial, access to a drug or biological product that has not been approved by the FDA. This category also includes access in an emergency situation.
Intermediate-size Population: Allows more than one patient (but generally fewer patients than through a Treatment IND/Protocol) access to a drug or biological product that has not been approved by the FDA. This type of expanded access is used when multiple patients with the same disease or condition seek access to a specific drug or biological product that has not been approved by the FDA.
Treatment IND/Protocol: Allows a large, widespread population access to a drug or biological product that has not been approved by the FDA. This type of expanded access can only be provided if the product is already being developed for marketing for the same use as the expanded access use.
An arm type in which a group of participants receives the intervention/treatment that is the focus of the clinical trial.
In certain circumstances, a sponsor or investigator may request an extension to delay the standard results submission deadline (generally one year after the primary completion date). The request for an extension must demonstrate good cause (for example, the need to preserve the scientific integrity of an ongoing masked trial). All requests must be reviewed and granted by the National Institutes of Health. This process for review and granting of extension requests is being developed. See Delay Results Type in the Results Data Element definitions for more information.
A type of intervention model describing a clinical trial in which groups of participants receive one of several combinations of interventions. For example, two-by-two factorial assignment involves four groups of participants. Each group receives one of the following pairs of interventions: (1) drug A and drug B, (2) drug A and a placebo, (3) a placebo and drug B, or (4) a placebo and a placebo. So during the trial, all possible combinations of the two drugs (A and B) and the placebos are given to different groups of participants.
A FDAAA 801 Violation is shown on a study record when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Notice of Noncompliance to the responsible party of an applicable clinical trial. A Notice of Noncompliance indicates that the FDA has determined the responsible party was not in compliance with the registration or results reporting requirements for the clinical trial under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, Section 801 (FDAAA 801).
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is required by FDAAA 801 to add information to a study record about any FDAAA 801 Violation. This information is provided by the FDA. There are three categories of information that may be included:
Violation: Shown when the FDA issues a Notice of Noncompliance and posts the Notice of Noncompliance on its designated webpage. There are three types of violations:
Failure to submit required clinical trial information
Submission of false or misleading clinical trial information
Failure to submit primary and secondary outcomes
Correction: Shown when the FDA confirms that the responsible party has updated the study record to correct the violation and posts the correction notice on its designated webpage. Because of the time for FDA review and processing, there may be a delay between the date when the study record was updated and the addition of correction information to the FDAAA 801 Violation information.
Penalty: Shown when the FDA imposes a penalty for the violation and posts the penalty notice on its designated webpage.
The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
U.S. Public Law 110-85, which was enacted on September 27, 2007. Section 801 of FDAAA amends Section 402 of the U.S. Public Health Service Act to expand ClinicalTrials.gov and create a clinical study results database. For more information on FDAAA 801, see the Clinical Trial Reporting Requirements page on this site.
Describes the organization that provides funding or support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting. Organizations listed as sponsors and collaborators for a study are considered the funders of the study. ClinicalTrials.gov refers to four types of funders:
U.S. National Institutes of Health
Other U.S. Federal agencies (for example, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Industry (for example: pharmaceutical and device companies)
All others (including individuals, universities, and community-based organizations)
A type of eligibility criteria that indicates whether eligibility to participate in a clinical study is based on a person's self-representation of gender identity. Gender identity refers to a person's own sense of gender, which may or may not be the same as their biological sex.
A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
A group of people who review, approve, and monitor the clinical study's protocol. Their role is to protect the rights and welfare of people participating in a study (referred to as human research subjects), such as reviewing the informed consent form. The group typically includes people with varying backgrounds, including a community member, to make sure that research activities conducted by an organization are completely and adequately reviewed. Also called an institutional review board, or IRB, or an ethics committee.
A type of eligibility criteria. These are the reasons that a person is allowed to participate in a clinical study.
A process used by researchers to communicate to potential and enrolled participants the risks and potential benefits of participating in a clinical study.
The document used in the informed consent or process.
The general design of the strategy for assigning interventions to participants in a clinical study. Types of intervention models include: single group assignment, parallel assignment, cross-over assignment, and factorial assignment.
A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
A type of clinical study in which participants are assigned to groups that receive one or more intervention/treatment (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes. The assignments are determined by the study's protocol. Participants may receive diagnostic, therapeutic, or other types of interventions.
A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the last update submitted date and when the date changes are posted on ClinicalTrials.gov (the last update posted date).
The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
Countries in which research facilities for a study are located. A country is listed only once, even if there is more than one facility in the country. The list includes all countries as of the last update submitted date; any country for which all facilities were removed from the study record are listed under removed location countries.
In the search feature, the Location terms field is used to narrow a search by location-related terms other than Country, State, and City or distance. For example, you may enter a specific facility name (such as National Institutes of Health Clinical Center) or a part of a facility name (such as Veteran for studies listing Veterans Hospital or Veteran Affairs in the facility name). Note: Not all study records include this level of detail about locations.
A clinical trial design strategy in which one or more parties involved in the trial, such as the investigator or participants, do not know which participants have been assigned which interventions. Types of masking include: open label, single blind masking, and double-blind masking.
A unique identification code given to each clinical study record registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The format is "NCT" followed by an 8-digit number (for example, NCT00000419). Also called the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier.
An arm type in which a group of participants does not receive any intervention/treatment during the clinical trial.
A type of clinical study in which participants are identified as belonging to study groups and are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes. Participants may receive diagnostic, therapeutic, or other types of interventions, but the investigator does not assign participants to a specific interventions/treatment.
A patient registry is a type of observational study.
The general design of the strategy for identifying and following up with participants during an observational study. Types of observational study models include cohort, case-control, case-only, case-cross-over, ecologic or community studies, family-based, and other.
An adverse event that is not a serious adverse event, meaning that it does not result in death, is not life-threatening, does not require inpatient hospitalization or extend a current hospital stay, does not result in an ongoing or significant incapacity or interfere substantially with normal life functions, and does not cause a congenital anomaly or birth defect; it also does not put the participant in danger and does not require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the results listed above.
Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
In the search feature, the Other terms field is used to narrow a search. For example, you may enter the name of a drug or the NCT number of a clinical study to limit the search to study records that contain these words.
For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
A type of intervention model describing a clinical trial in which two or more groups of participants receive different interventions. For example, a two-arm parallel assignment involves two groups of participants. One group receives drug A, and the other group receives drug B. So during the trial, participants in one group receive drug A "in parallel" to participants in the other group, who receive drug B.
A summary of the progress of participants through each stage of a clinical study, by study arm or group/cohort. This includes the number of participants who started, completed, and dropped out of the study.
A type of observational study that collects information about patients' medical conditions and/or treatments to better understand how a condition or treatment affects patients in the real world.
The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
A phase of research to describe clinical trials that focus on the safety of a drug. They are usually conducted with healthy volunteers, and the goal is to determine the drug's most frequent and serious adverse events and, often, how the drug is broken down and excreted by the body. These trials usually involve a small number of participants.
A phase of research to describe clinical trials that gather preliminary data on whether a drug works in people who have a certain condition/disease (that is, the drug's effectiveness). For example, participants receiving the drug may be compared to similar participants receiving a different treatment, usually an inactive substance (called a placebo) or a different drug. Safety continues to be evaluated, and short-term adverse events are studied.
A phase of research to describe clinical trials that gather more information about a drug's safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs. These studies typically involve more participants.
A phase of research to describe clinical trials occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing. They include postmarket requirement and commitment studies that are required of or agreed to by the study sponsor. These trials gather additional information about a drug's safety, efficacy, or optimal use.
Describes trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
An inactive substance or treatment that looks the same as, and is given in the same way as, an active drug or intervention/treatment being studied.
An arm type in which a group of participants receives a placebo during a clinical trial.
The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "estimated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
The main reason for the clinical trial. The types of primary purpose are: treatment, prevention, diagnostic, supportive care, screening, health services research, basic science, and other.
The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.
The written description of a clinical study. It includes the study's objectives, design, and methods. It may also include relevant scientific background and statistical information.
National Library of Medicine (NLM) staff perform a limited review of submitted study records for apparent errors, deficiencies, or inconsistencies. NLM staff identify potential major and advisory issues and provide comments directly to the study sponsor or investigator. Major issues identified in QC review must be addressed or corrected (see First submitted that met QC criteria and Results first submitted that met QC criteria). Advisory issues are suggestions to help improve the clarity of the record. NLM staff do not verify the scientific validity or relevance of the submitted information. The study sponsor or investigator is responsible for ensuring that the studies follow all applicable laws and regulations.
A type of allocation strategy in which participants are assigned to the arms of a clinical trial by chance.
Not yet recruiting: The study has not started recruiting participants.
Recruiting: The study is currently recruiting participants.
Enrolling by invitation: The study is selecting its participants from a population, or group of people, decided on by the researchers in advance. These studies are not open to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria but only to people in that particular population, who are specifically invited to participate.
Active, not recruiting: The study is ongoing, and participants are receiving an intervention or being examined, but potential participants are not currently being recruited or enrolled.
Suspended: The study has stopped early but may start again.
Terminated: The study has stopped early and will not start again. Participants are no longer being examined or treated.
Completed: The study has ended normally, and participants are no longer being examined or treated (that is, the last participant's last visit has occurred).
Withdrawn: The study stopped early, before enrolling its first participant.
Unknown: A study on ClinicalTrials.gov whose last known status was recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting but that has passed its completion date, and the status has not been last verified within the past 2 years.
The process of submitting and updating summary information about a clinical study and its protocol, from its beginning to end, to a structured, public Web-based study registry that is accessible to the public, such as ClinicalTrials.gov.
Countries that appeared under listed location countries but were removed from the study record by the sponsor or investigator.
A grouping of participants in a clinical study that is used for summarizing the data collected during the study. This grouping may be the same as or different from a study arm or group.
The person responsible for submitting information about a clinical study to ClinicalTrials.gov and updating that information. Usually the study sponsor or investigator.
A structured online system, such as the ClinicalTrials.gov results database, that provides the public with access to registration and summary results information for completed or terminated clinical studies. A study with results available on ClinicalTrials.gov is described as having the results "posted."
Note: The ClinicalTrials.gov results database became available in September 2008. Older studies are unlikely to have results available in the database.
Indicates that the sponsor or investigator submitted a certification or extension request.
The date on which summary results information was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay between the date the study sponsor or investigator first submits summary results information (the results first submitted date) and the results first posted date. Some results information may be available at an earlier date if Results First Posted with QC Comments.
The date on which summary results information was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov with quality control review comments from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) identifying major issues that must be addressed by the sponsor or investigator. As of January 1, 2020, initial results submissions for applicable clinical trials (ACTs) that do not meet quality control review criteria will be publicly posted on ClinicalTrials.gov with brief standardized major comments. Accordingly, the Results First Posted with QC Comments date may be earlier than the Results First Posted date for an ACT with summary results information that is not consistent with NLM quality control review criteria.
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record with summary results information. There is typically a delay between the results first submitted date and when summary results information becomes available on ClinicalTrials.gov (the results first posted date).
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record with summary results information that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit results information one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
The date on which the National Library of Medicine provided quality control (QC) review comments to the study sponsor or investigator. The sponsor or investigator must address major issues identified in the review comments. If there is a date listed for results returned after quality control review, but there is not a subsequent date listed for results submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov, this means that the submission is pending changes by the sponsor or investigator.
Indicates that the study sponsor or investigator has submitted summary results information for a clinical study to ClinicalTrials.gov but the quality control (QC) review process has not concluded.
The results submitted date indicates when the study sponsor or investigator first submitted summary results information or submitted changes to summary results information. Submissions with changes are typically in response to QC review comments from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). If there is a date listed for results submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov, but there is not a subsequent date listed for results returned after quality control review, this means that the submission is pending review by NLM.
In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
An adverse event that results in death, is life-threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or extends a current hospital stay, results in an ongoing or significant incapacity or interferes substantially with normal life functions, or causes a congenital anomaly or birth defect. Medical events that do not result in death, are not life-threatening, or do not require hospitalization may be considered serious adverse events if they put the participant in danger or require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the results listed above.
A type of eligibility criteria that indicates the sex of people who may participate in a clinical study (all, female, male). Sex is a person's classification as female or male based on biological distinctions. Sex is distinct from gender-based eligibility.
An arm type in which a group of participants receives a procedure or device that appears to be the same as the actual procedure or device being studied but does not contain active processes or components.
A type of intervention model describing a clinical trial in which all participants receive the same intervention/treatment.
In Advanced Search, the Sort studies by option is used to change the order of studies listed on the Search Results page. You can sort by Relevance or Newest First:
Relevance: Studies that best match your search terms appear higher in the search results list. This is the default display for all searches.
Newest First: Studies with the most recent First posted dates appear higher in the search results list.
The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
In the search feature, the State field is used to find clinical studies with locations in a specific state within the United States. If you choose United States in the Country field, you can search for studies with locations in a specific state.
The written description of the statistical considerations and methods for analyzing the data collected in the clinical study.
Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "estimated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
The investigative methods and strategies used in the clinical study.
Refers to the type of documents that the study sponsor or principal investigator may add to their study record. These include a study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and informed consent form.
Identifiers that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. They include unique identifiers from other trial study registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers. Note: ClinicalTrials.gov assigns a unique identification code to each clinical study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Also called the NCT number, the format is "NCT" followed by an 8-digit number (for example, NCT00000419).
An entry on ClinicalTrials.gov that contains a summary of a clinical study's protocol information, including the recruitment status; eligibility criteria; contact information; and, in some cases, summary results. Each study record is assigned a ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, or NCT number.
A structured online system, such as ClinicalTrials.gov, that provides the public with access to summary information about ongoing and completed clinical studies.
A study record that includes the summary results posted in the ClinicalTrials.gov results database. Summary results information includes participant flow, baseline characteristics, outcome measures, and adverse events (including serious adverse events).
The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "estimated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
The date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria.
The official title of a protocol used to identify a clinical study or a short title written in language intended for the lay public.
The acronym or initials used to identify a clinical study (not all studies have one). For example, the title acronym for the Women's Health Initiative is "WHI."
A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AHRQ's mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by making sure that human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, the Nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and products that give off radiation are safe, effective, and secure.
A type of recruitment status. It identifies a study on ClinicalTrials.gov whose last known status was recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting but that has passed its completion date, and the status has not been verified within the past 2 years. Studies with an unknown status are considered closed studies.
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ClinicalTrials.gov is a website and online database of clinical research studies and information about their results. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) maintains the website. The study sponsor or investigator submits information about their study to ClinicalTrials.gov and is responsible for the safety, science, and accuracy of any study they list.
Before joining a study, talk to your health care professional about possible risks and benefits. To learn more about taking part in studies, read Learn About Studies(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study-basics/learn-about-studies).
Not yet recruiting
Temporal Interference and Depression (TI)
ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05295888
Sponsor Unity Health Toronto
Information provided by Unity Health Toronto (Responsible Party)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has a high prevalence, is the leading cause of disability, and currently available interventions are associated with side effects and high treatment resistance.
There is an urgent need for the development of novel interventions for MDD with alternate mechanisms of action.
Temporal Interference (TI) stimulation is a newly emerging form of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) that involves the application of two high-frequency currents at slightly different kHz frequencies.
Since neurons, due to their intrinsic low-pass filtering, do not respond to high frequencies (i.e.
> 100 Hz), TI relies on the 'beat' interaction leading to neuromodulation at any given location, resulting in a much smaller focus and allowing for better targeting.
The subgenual cingulate cortex (SCC) appears to be critical in the pathophysiology of depression and treatment response, especially in treatment-resistant cases.
Non-invasive treatments, however, are not able to accurately target SCC due to its deep location within the brain.
In this trial, 30 participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for MDD will be randomized to receive 10 sessions of 130 Hz TI delivered daily for 30 minutes, or 10 sessions of sham stimulation.
The investigators will collect metrics of SCC target engagement using the resting-state fMRI and EEG technologies, and determine feasibility, tolerability, safety, and therapeutic efficacy of TI stimulation in MDD.
The results of this trial will inform the TI technology as a therapeutic tool for network-based psychiatric disorders, including MDD, and be vital for the design and development of a large-scale randomized-controlled trial.
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Inclusion Criteria - Patients will be included if they:
provide written informed consent before initiation of any study-related procedures
are outpatients
meet the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a current major depressive episode (MDE) without psychotic features as confirmed at Screening by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
are male or female, 18 to 65 years of age (inclusive) at screening
have a Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of ≥ 20 (moderate to severe depression) at screening
have had no increase or initiation of any psychotropic medication in the 4 weeks prior to screening
able to adhere to the treatment schedule
pass the TI adult safety screening questionnaire
have normal thyroid functioning based on pre-study blood work
are able to understand and comply with the requirements of the study, as judged by the investigator(s)
Exclusion Criteria - Patients will be excluded if they:
have an acute alcohol or substance use disorder, withdrawal symptoms requiring detoxification, or went through detoxification treatment (inpatient or outpatient) within 3 months before Screening as obtained from MINI, Module I (Alcohol Use Disorder) and Module J (Substance Use Disorder, Non-Alcohol) assessed at Screening
have a concomitant major unstable medical illness, Active hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HPC), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active COVID-19 infection, cardiac pacemaker or implanted medication pump as per medical history provided by the participant
have active suicidal intent, confirmed by a 'Yes' response to Question B3 AND either Question B10 or B11 obtained from the MINI Suicidality, Module B (Suicidality) assessed at Screening
have suicidal ideation or behaviour caused primarily by another non-MDD condition, as obtained from MINI, Module Z (Suicidality Disorders Classification Interview) assessed at Screening
have a current clinical diagnosis of autism, dementia, or intellectual disability
take medications prohibited by the protocol.
Medications will be reviewed by the responsible MD and decisions about inclusion will be made based on a predetermined list of contraindicated medications.
are pregnant or lactating
have any prior or current Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder, MDD with psychotic features, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or current psychotic symptoms as obtained from MINI, Module C (Manic and Hypomanic Episodes) and Module K (Psychotic Disorders and Mood Disorders with Psychotic Features) assessed at Screening
have any prior or current Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (current or within the last year), anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder), or dysthymia, assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD
have a diagnosis of any personality disorder, and assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD
have failed a course of ECT or intravenous ketamine therapy in the current episode or previous episode
have received TI for any previous indication due to the potential compromise of subject blinding
have any significant neurological disorder or insult including, but not limited to: any condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure, space-occupying brain lesion, any history of seizure except those therapeutically induced by ECT or a febrile seizure of infancy, cerebral aneurysm, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, multiple sclerosis, significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for greater than 5 minutes, current history of poorly controlled migraines including chronic medication for migraine prevention
have an intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed
if participating in psychotherapy, must have been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to entry into the study, with no anticipation of change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions, or the therapeutic focus over the duration of the study
have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality, in the opinion of one of the principal investigators or study physicians
currently take medications that potentially limit the TI efficacy
have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with an interview)
have a clinical finding that is unstable or that, in the opinion of the investigator(s), would be negatively affected by the study medication or that would affect the study medication (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, unstable angina)
have uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Subjects needing a thyroid hormone supplement to treat hypothyroidism must have been on a stable dose of the medication for 30 days prior to enrolment.
have any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator(s), would adversely affect the subject's ability to complete the study or its measure
wear a hairstyle or headdress that prevents electrode contact with the scalp or would interfere with the stimulation (e.g., thick braids, hair weave, afro, wig)
have any contraindications for receiving TI or undergoing MRI scans (e.g., hip circumference <180 cm or metal in the body)
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
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Design Details
Primary Purpose : Treatment
Allocation : Randomized
Interventional Model : Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: This is a pilot, sham-controlled, quadruple-blind clinical trial to demonstrate feasibility, safety, tolerability, and preliminary therapeutic efficacy of TI stimulation in patients with MDD.
Masking Description: The following roles will be blinded: i) Investigators and care providers; ii) Enrolled participants; iii) Outcome assessors; iv) TI technician
TI involves simultaneous delivery of independent currents to the brain at slightly different kHz frequencies, which are individually too high to recruit neural firing.
However, the difference ('beat') frequency where the currents overlap (i.e., temporally interfered) is low enough to drive neural activity.
The interferometrically derived low frequencies have been demonstrated to activate neurons at a selected focus without activation of surrounding regions in awake mice.
The safety of the TI paradigm has been demonstrated in over 60 healthy human volunteers, and finite element modeling of simulations of TI fields in human anatomical models suggests that large subcortical structures such as the hippocampus or SCC could be selectively targeted.
However, the precise TI parameters for selective engagement of SCC in healthy participants and in MDD is currently unknown.
Electrodes will be placed in the same location on the head as that for the TI intervention; 0 mA of electrical current will be delivered to the brain (compared to 2 mA in the active intervention arm), therefore it is expected to elicit no changes in neural activity.
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neuroimaging - Signal variance
Signal variance within SCC to demonstrate SCC target engagement to TI stimulation
At 1 week post-intervention (3 weeks from baseline)
Neuroimaging - Functional connectivity
Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity within SCC to demonstrate SCC target engagement to TI stimulation
At 1 week post-intervention (3 weeks from baseline)
Neuroimaging - Anatomical connectivity
Anatomical connectivity within SCC to demonstrate SCC target engagement to TI stimulation
At 1 week post-intervention (3 weeks from baseline)
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Clinical change in depression symptoms
Change in symptoms of depression measured by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D); scores range from 0 to 53, and higher scores indicate more severe depression symptoms.
Baseline, end of 1st week of intervention, end of 2nd week of intervention, 1 week post-intervention, and 4 weeks post-intervention
Clinical change in depression symptoms
Change in symptoms of depression measured by the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology; scores range from 0 to 48, and higher scores indicate more severe depression symptoms.
Baseline, each intervention visit (5 times/week for 2 weeks), 1 week post-intervention, and 4 weeks post-intervention
EEG Signals - Time domain features
Changes in time domain features of alpha oscillation on resting-state EEG Changes in time domain features of beta and theta oscillation on resting-state EEG Changes in time domain features of theta oscillation on resting-state EEG
Baseline, end of 1st week of intervention, and 1 week post-intervention
EEG Signals - Frequency domain features
Changes in frequency domain features of alpha oscillation on resting-state EEG Changes in frequency domain features of beta oscillation on resting-state EEG Changes in frequency domain features of theta oscillation on resting-state EEG
Baseline, end of 1st week of intervention, and 1 week post-intervention
EEG Signals - Functional connectivity
Changes in functional connectivity on resting-state EEG
Baseline, end of 1st week of intervention, and 1 week post-intervention
Correlation between EEG and depression symptoms
Correlation between changes in features of alpha, beta, or theta oscillations (EEG) and changes in depression symptoms measured by the HAM-D
Baseline, end of 1st week of intervention, and 1 week post-intervention
Collaborators and Investigators
This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.
Principal Investigator:Venkat Bhat, MD MSc,Unity Health Toronto
Study Record Dates
These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.
