To evaluate the efficacy of tACS treatment. To determine whether tACS can accelerate symptom remission, improve clinical response rates, and facilitate the recovery of emotional and cognitive functions through standardized clinical assessments.
To evaluate the safety of tACS treatment. To assess adverse events and side effects in both the intervention and control groups, ensuring the safety and tolerability of tACS in adolescent populations.
Age 12-18 years.
Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a current depressive episode, as confirmed by the K-SADS-PL.
Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) score ≥40 at baseline.
Stable psychotropic medication treatment for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment and willingness to continue the same regimen throughout the study.
Psychiatric comorbidities other than anxiety disorders.
Depression with psychotic features.
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score >13.
History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury) or severe physical illnesses (e.g., thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, significant liver, kidney, or lung impairment, major trauma).