Major DepressionINSightNCT07807930
Individual Narratives of Stimulation (ECT and TMS)
An observational study of Major Depression, run by University of Nottingham at 2 sites in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Major Depression
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 31 Oct 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: 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
Who may be able to join
- 18 years or older
- Previously received at least one TMS and one ECT session as treatment for major depression
- Conversational in the English language
- Capacity to give informed consent to take part in this study
- Feels fully informed and well enough to be able to share potentially distressing past experiences
Who cannot join
- Participants may be excluded at the judgement of the PI if it is felt that the participant is at high risk of significant emotional distress from taking part in the interviews at this time
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom2 sites
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool
Peggy Research Assistant (Liverpool), +44, yue.peng@merseycare.nhs.uk
Jade Thai
University of Nottingham
Nottingham
Sarah Research Assistant (Nottingham), +44, sarah.ottahal@nottingham.ac.uk
Paul M Briley
About this study
Official title: Lived Experience of People Who Have Received Both Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Treating Major Depressive Disorder: a Narrative Inquiry
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.
Read more
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.
- Conditions
- Major Depression
- Being tested
- There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences)
- Keywords
- Narrative inquiry, Qualitative interviews, Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Lived experience
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences)Other
There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| People with lived experience of both ECT and TMS for treating major depression | Not described Receives: Other: There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Co-created narratives and associated themes
Measured: From enrollment to the completion of the follow-up feedback sesson
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Major DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of NottinghamThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Nottingham
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Mersey Care NHS Trust
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Paul M Briley, Principal investigator, University of NottinghamJade Thai, Principal investigator, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07807930
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 26036
- Acronym
- INSight
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Lived Experience of People Who Have Received Both Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Treating Major Depressive Disorder: a Narrative Inquiry
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07807930
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- INSight / 26036
- Conditions
- Major Depression
- Keywords
- Narrative inquiry, Qualitative interviews, Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Lived experience
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of NottinghamUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Mersey Care NHS Trust
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| People with lived experience of both ECT and TMS for treating major depression | – | Other: There is no intervention in this observation study (qualitative interviews about past treatment experiences) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- 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
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 18 years or older
- Previously received at least one TMS and one ECT session as treatment for major depression
- Conversational in the English language
- Capacity to give informed consent to take part in this study
- Feels fully informed and well enough to be able to share potentially distressing past experiences
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants may be excluded at the judgement of the PI if it is felt that the participant is at high risk of significant emotional distress from taking part in the interviews at this time
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Other | People with lived experience of both ECT and TMS for treating major depression |
Primary outcome
Co-created narratives and associated themes
Time frame: From enrollment to the completion of the follow-up feedback sesson
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Paul M Briley principal investigator
University of Nottingham
Jade Thai principal investigator
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Major Depression, run by University of Nottingham at 2 sites in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Sarah Research Assistant (Nottingham) (+44, sarah.ottahal@nottingham.ac.uk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Co-created narratives and associated themes (time frame: From enrollment to the completion of the follow-up feedback sesson). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2026.