tVNS for Depression

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treating Major Depressive Disorder: a Phase II, Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

This is a phase II, randomized, sham controlled, clinical trial. This clinical trial has as primary objective to evaluate changes in depressive symptoms of a transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) treatment protocol for patients with moderate / severe depressive episode.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. patients between 18 and 69 years
2. patients with a diagnosis of depression according to the SCID
3. score greater than or equal to 18 on the Hamilton Rating Scale 17-item version (equivalent to moderate or severe depressive episode)
4. agreement to participate in the study as recommended in the IC.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients with psychiatric indication for hospitalization
2. patients with psychiatric comorbidity
3. patients with a diagnosis of personality disorder
4. presence of severe neurological or medical diseases such as neoplasms in activity, neurodegenerative diseases and chronic diseases uncompensated.