An observational study in Major Depression, sponsored by University of Nottingham. Not yet recruiting at 2 sites in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.
Sponsored by University of Nottingham · Observational
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are two evidence-based treatments for major depressive disorder. Both work by stimulating the brain (a process known as neuromodulation), but they differ markedly in invasiveness. ECT requires a general anaesthetic, whereas TMS is delivered while a person is awake and alert and they can go home immediately afterwards. TMS has been proposed as an alternative to ECT for some people. However, TMS is not as effective as ECT in all cases, is generally slower acting, and remains less widely available.
In Nottingham and Liverpool, there are a small number of individuals who have experienced both ECT and TMS across different episodes of depression. Whilst previous studies have explored experiences of ECT and TMS separately, often using relatively superficial methods, none have examined the perspectives of people who have received both treatments. This study addresses that gap through an in-depth exploration of their experiences.
The investigators will use a narrative inquiry approach that encourages participants to tell the story of their experiences of ECT and TMS in their own words. Eligible participants will be adults who have previously received both treatments for depression. Participation involves four sessions: a structured discussion to map the timeline of their depression and treatments, two in-depth open-ended interview sessions (narrative inquiry), and a follow-up discussion about the researchers' reconstruction of their story. Recruitment will take place through services in Nottingham and Liverpool.
This study will help to understand how patients relate to, and make sense of, ECT and TMS, which contextual factors shape their experiences, and how these treatments fit into broader recovery journeys. The findings will inform the development of patient-centred services, support shared decision-making, and help healthcare professionals deepen compassionate understanding of treatment experiences.
3,041 studies on the registry are indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major; 588 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 12 is below the median of 131 across 400 observational studies indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major.
Browse Depressive Disorder, Major studies →University of Nottingham is the lead sponsor of 465 studies on the registry; 80 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Adults who have received at least one session of TMS in Nottingham or Liverpool, who have also received at least one session of ECT, both intended to treat an episode of major depression
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Other: There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences)
There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences)
Co-created narratives and associated themes
Time frame: From enrollment to the completion of the follow-up feedback sesson
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Oct 2027, 11 months later.
Of 121 non-industry observational studies under Depressive Disorder, Major, half reached primary completion within 46 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 29 and three quarters within 73. This study's planned 11 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 150 studies reached it within 38 months; a quarter within 21 and three quarters within 67.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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