Alpha-Stim AID and Major Depressive Disorder

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 16 years and above. There is no maximum age limit.
• Diagnosis of current Major Depressive Episode (MDE). This will be confirmed using theresearch version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-RV) atbaseline.
• A Score of ≥10 to 19 on 9-item self-rated Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
• Have either been offered the option of antidepressant medication or have beenprescribed antidepressant medication for a minimum of 6 weeks in the last 3 months.
• Capable of giving oral and written informed consent to the study.
• Agrees to return Alpha-Stim equipment at the end of the study and not to purchase thisequipment privately during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A score of ≥20 on the PHQ-9.
• Neurological conditions e.g. brain neoplasm, cerebrovascular events, epilepsy,neurodegenerative disorders, and prior brain surgery
• Requires urgent clinical care such as having persistent suicidal ideation, self-harmor suicidal intent.
• Known to be pregnant.
• Implantation with a pace maker, cochlear implant or an implantable cardioverter device (ICD).
• Major unstable medical illness requiring further investigation or treatment.
• A diagnosis of current substance use disorder or dependence, dementia, eatingdisorder, bipolar disorder or non-affective psychosis because the use of CES treatmentwould otherwise require additional supervision or is associated with additional riske.g. of mania in bipolar disorder. Determination of these conditions will be confirmedusing a diagnostic clinical interview (SCID-5-RV).
• Completed and benefitted from/responded to psychological treatment for depression inthe last 3 months or planning to commence psychological treatment in the next 6months.
• Involved with any other clinical trial at the time of consent or 6 months prior.