Study design
depressive, Cor, Cor II
This randomized, triple-blind pilot trial was conducted at the Central Institute of Mental Health (Mannheim, Germany). The pilot trial aimed to compare the effect of tDCS on HPAA activity in patients with depressive episodes, and included an experimental group (tDCS) and a control group (sham stimulation). Diurnal cortisol pattern (DCP), area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) of the diurnal cortisol pattern, cortisol awakening response (CAR), cortisol decline (CD), and variation of cortisol before and after stimulation were calculated in both groups. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments were continued throughout the trial. The trial schedule and measurements are presented in Table Trial schedule and measurements (trial period = 3 weeks = 21 days).tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; W0, first stimulation; W1, one week after first stimulation; W2, two weeks after first stimulation; W3, three weeks after first stimulation; Cor I, salivary cortisol measured between 7:30 and 8:00 AM; Cor II, salivary cortisol measured between 8:00 and 8:30 AM; Cor III, salivary cortisol measured between 3:30 and 4:00 PM; Cor IV, salivary cortisol measured between 9:30 and 10:00 PM.