Repeated Low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reduces Cue-induced Craving: a Randomized, Prospective, Double-blind, Sham-controlled, Cross-over Study

Status

Terminated

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01560351

Acronym

STIMJEU

Enrollment

Registered

2012-03-22

Start date

2012-03-31

Completion date

2015-01-31

Last updated

2015-03-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pathological Gambling

Keywords

Pathological gambling, craving, repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, craving cues

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of repeated low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, combined with gambling cues, on gambling craving. Participants are pathological gamblers. A single real stimulation and a single shame stimulation are administered in a random order for each participant (cross-over study).

Interventions

DEVICErTMS

Two sessions of repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (real rTMS and sham rTMS) are planned for each participant, at interval of 4 weeks, in a random order.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Pathological gambler (DSM-IV criteria) * Seeking treatment at the University Hospital of Nantes * Right-handed * 18-65 years old * Increase in the intensity (at least 50%) of the gambling craving with gambling cues Non-inclusion criteria: * pregnant woman * no effective contraception * Substance use disorders (excluding nicotine) * Benzodiazepine use * Chronic neurological disease * History of head injury * History of neurosurgery * Cochlear implant or other metal objects in the head * History of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or repeated Transcranial * Magnetic Stimulation * Difficult to read or write French

Exclusion criteria

* Occurrence of side effects (like seizures) * Psychoactive substance use 12 hours before the rTMS (excluding nicotine)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	—	Cue-induced craving is evaluated using a VAS, immediately before and immediately after the administration of the craving cues, and immediately after the rTMS session (real and sham).

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	—	Cue-induced craving kinetics : cue-induced craving is evaluated using a VAS every 5 minutes until its intensity returns to baseline.
Gambling Craving Scale (GACS)	—	Cue-induced craving is also evaluated using the GACS, immediately before and immediately after the administration of the craving cues, immediately after the rTMS session, and every 5 minutes until its intensity returns to baseline.
blood pressure	—	Cue-induced craving is also evaluated using the measure of the blood pressure, immediately before and immediately after the administration of the craving cues, immediately after the rTMS session, and every 5 minutes until its intensity returns to baseline.
heart rate	—	Cue-induced craving is also evaluated using the measure of the heart rate, immediately before and immediately after the administration of the craving cues, immediately after the rTMS session, and every 5 minutes until its intensity returns to baseline.

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026