Supporting clients with low mood and depression

Doris Jones has been invited to help facilitate a project to investigate the potential benefits of an innovative low mood treatment among our elderly clients. The project is being run by Atrium Clinic, whose renowned services have been delivering positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes for 25 years.

We are looking for several clients who, together with their loved ones, would be willing to get involved in the project.

The treatment

FLOW is a clinically proven treatment licensed for low mood and mild to moderate depressive symptoms. It works with a non-invasive headset combined with a smartphone app.

The headset delivers a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) used to treat depression. It involves applying gentle electrical impulses to the frontal cortex of the brain to increase activity and reduce depressive symptoms.

Most FLOW users see improvement within 3 weeks and continue to use the headset for a minimum of 6 months.

The project
Participants will wear the headset for 30 mins a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Then 3 times a week for 30 mins for 2 weeks. They will complete a simple questionnaire before each session.

Normal activities such as reading or watching TV can be carried out during the sessions.

A family member or Doris Jones carer will need to be present for each session, to oversee the use of the headset and smartphone app.

Clinical outcomes will be measured remotely by Atrium, who will remain on hand for support and advice throughout the project.

Commitment
The only commitment required is the time of the client and family. Headsets will be provided at no cost for the period of the project.

If a Doris Jones carer is required to be present at each session, their visits will be charged at our usual rates.