AuthorisedTherapeutic use (Phase IV)Interventional

Thiopental Induction Dose during Electroconvulsive therapy for depression (TIDE) - a randomized controlled trial of the effect of anesthetic dose during electroconvulsive therapy for major depression

This study, called TIDE, is investigating electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with severe depression. During ECT, a medicine called thiopental is given to help you sleep. This research wants to find out if using a lower amount of thiopental compared to a higher amount makes the treatment more effective for improving depression. They will measure changes in mood after six ECT sessions. The study will also look at how long the ECT treatment lasts, if there are any memory problems afterwards, how long people stay in hospital, and if the depression returns within a year. This kind of study helps doctors understand the best ways to give existing treatments.

At a glance

Status

Authorised

Phase

Therapeutic use (Phase IV)

Sponsor

Karolinska Institutet

Enrolment target

210

Start

27 Mar 2025

Major depressive disorder

What is this study about?

This study is called TIDE, which stands for Thiopental Induction Dose during Electroconvulsive therapy for depression. It's looking into electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a recognised treatment for severe depression, especially when other treatments haven't worked well. During ECT, you are given a short-acting anaesthetic medicine to put you to sleep before a small electrical current is passed through the brain. This causes a controlled seizure that can help improve symptoms of depression.

Specifically, this research is comparing two different amounts (doses) of an anaesthetic medicine called thiopental, which is given to help you sleep during the ECT procedure. They want to see if giving a lower dose of thiopental or a higher dose makes a difference to how well the ECT works for your depression. The main thing they will look at is how much your mood improves after you've had six ECT sessions, comparing the two groups who received different amounts of thiopental.

Beyond just mood improvement, the study will also check other important things. This includes how long the ECT treatment itself lasts, if people experience any memory problems or other side effects in the days or months after treatment, and how many ECT sessions people need in total. They'll also look at how long people stay in hospital and whether people's depression comes back within a year after treatment. This type of research is important because it helps doctors fine-tune existing treatments to make them as effective and comfortable as possible for patients.

Key takeaways

This study is looking at how different amounts of anaesthetic (thiopental) affect ECT for severe depression.
It aims to find out if a lower or higher dose of thiopental works best for improving mood.
Researchers will also track memory, hospital stay, and depression relapse.
Participation involves existing ECT treatment, with anaesthetic dose decided by the study.
Both men and women aged 18 and over with major depression can take part.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. Both men and women can join. The most important thing is that you have been diagnosed with severe depression, also known as major depressive disorder, and your doctor thinks ECT is the right treatment for you.

This study is for people who are already scheduled to receive ECT, as it focuses on how some parts of the treatment can be made better. There aren't any other specific age limits or restrictions mentioned, so if you're an adult and your doctor recommends ECT for your depression, you might be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been diagnosed with severe depression (major depressive disorder)?
Has your doctor recommended Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as a treatment for your depression?
Are you able to attend follow-up appointments for up to a year?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, your involvement would be very similar to receiving standard ECT treatment for depression. The main difference is that the amount of anaesthetic medicine (thiopental) you receive before each ECT session would be decided by the study, rather than your doctor, based on a careful comparison. You would have your regular ECT sessions, typically six, and during these, you'd receive either a lower or higher dose of thiopental for the anaesthetic.

Researchers would monitor your mood using questionnaires after six ECT sessions. They would also follow up with you to understand any memory changes a week after your ECT course and again after six months. They'll also keep track of how many ECT sessions you need in total, how long you stay in hospital, and your depression over the course of a year. The total duration of your participation would involve the period of ECT treatment and follow-up for a year afterwards.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any research study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that it might help doctors understand the best way to give anaesthetic during ECT, which could lead to improved depression treatment for you and others in the future. While the ECT itself carries known risks, your participation in this study involves a common anaesthetic medicine, thiopental, which is already used in ECT. The risks associated with different doses will be carefully monitored. You will be closely looked after by medical staff throughout. Remember, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

—
Unverified
Sweden

Common questions

What is ECT?

ECT, or Electroconvulsive Therapy, is a medical treatment for severe depression where a small electrical current is used to create a controlled seizure in the brain while you're asleep, which can help improve depression symptoms.

What is thiopental?

Thiopental is a medicine used to put you to sleep (anaesthetic) very quickly and for a short time, which is needed before you have ECT.

Will I know if I'm getting a high or low dose?

No, in this type of study, neither you nor the doctors usually know which dose you are receiving to ensure the results are unbiased and reliable.

Will ECT still be effective if I get a lower dose?

The purpose of this study is to find out if one dose is better than the other, or if both are equally effective. You will still receive the standard ECT treatment.

Will this study affect my usual hospital care?

Your participation is focused on how your anaesthetic is managed during ECT. Your overall hospital care and treatment for depression will continue as normal.