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Brain Stimulation For Cancer Smokers

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation For Smoking Cessation In Cancer Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03419741
Enrollment
11
Registered
2018-02-05
Start date
2017-10-21
Completion date
2020-10-20
Last updated
2022-05-13

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

Conditions

Breast Cancer, Cancer of Head and Neck, Nicotine Dependence, Prostate Cancer

Keywords

Cancer, Nicotine Addiction, Smoking Cessation

Brief summary

Smoking cessation and relapse prevention represent and important opportunity to improve cancer survival rates, reduce the risk of cancer treatment complication, and improve the quality of life of patients with and survivors of cancer. Previous studies showed that repetitive TMS (rTMS) reduced cue craving to smoking and treat nicotine dependent smokers. Recently one study completed by our team demonstrated that 10 sessions of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) reduced cigarette consumption and cue craving, and also increased quitting rate on target quit date in nicotine dependent smokers. Thus, we propose conducting a controlled, double-blind trial comparing the effect of treatments of active rTMS and sham rTMS on cigarette abstinence days, cigarette consumption and smoking craving during a 7-days of quit attempt period in 20 nicotine-dependent patients with cancer. Specific aims are: Aim 1: Assess a feasibility of the rTMS for smoking cessation in cancer patients. Aim 2: Obtain preliminary estimates of whether one-week active rTMS of left DLPFC tends to be more efficacious than sham rTMS during a 7-days of quit attempt laboratory model period increasing abstinence days, and also decreasing cigarette consumption and cue-elicited craving in cancer patients with smoking.

Detailed description

Specific aims: Smoking cessation and relapse prevention represent and important opportunity to improve cancer survival rates , reduce the risk of cancer treatment complication, and improve the quality of life of patients with and survivors of cancer . Previous studies showed that repetitive TMS (rTMS) reduced cue craving to smoking and treat nicotine dependent smokers. Recently one study completed by our team demonstrated that 10 sessions of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) reduced cigarette consumption and cue craving, and also increased quitting rate on target quit date in nicotine dependent smokers. Thus, we propose conducting a controlled, double-blind trial comparing the effect of treatments of active rTMS and sham rTMS on cigarette abstinence days, cigarette consumption and smoking craving during a 7-days of quit attempt period in 20 nicotine-dependent patients with cancer. Specific aims are: Aim 1: Assess a feasibility of the rTMS for smoking cessation in cancer patients. Aim 2: Obtain preliminary estimates of whether one-week active rTMS of left DLPFC tends to be more efficacious than sham rTMS during a 7-days of quit attempt laboratory model period increasing abstinence days, and also decreasing cigarette consumption and cue-elicited craving in cancer patients with smoking. 1.1. Primary objective To assess a feasibility of the rTMS for smoking cessation in cancer patients: The primary feasibility measures are : whether or not we can enroll 20 cancer patients with smoking within 12 months? 1.2 Secondary objectives (1) Study attrition. How many subjects can complete 7-day quit attempt during rTMS treatment? How many subjects will complete one-month follow-up? (2) To obtain preliminary estimates of whether one-week active rTMS of left DLPFC tends to be more efficacious than sham rTMS during a 7-days of quit attempt laboratory model period increasing abstinence days, and also decreasing cigarette consumption and cue-elicited craving in cancer patients with smoking. 1.3 Exploratory objectives Self-reported number of cigarettes smoked per day, The brief questionnaire of smoking urges (QSU - Brief), visual analog scale for craving and side effect will be measured pre and post each rTMS session. Other assessment, Carbon Monoxide, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and Minnesota Nicotine withdrawing Scale (MNWS) will be completed at baseline and the last TMS. Quitting attempt will verify daily CO \< 5 ppm. FTND, Feasibility metrics will also be tracked, including numbers of complete TMS sessions and dropout rate.

Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System is a US FDA approved treatment system for depression. The treatment research system includes motor threshold TMS coil, active TMS coil and sham TMS coil.

Sponsors

Medical University of South Carolina
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Sham TMS

Intervention model description

This is a randomized, double-blinded design of active rTMS and sham rTMS. The pilot will include a total of 20 nicotine-dependent patients with cancer. Subjects will be randomized to either sham rTMS or real rTMS over the left DLPFC. At the end of 7-day study, everyone can be referred to the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) Tobacco Treatment Program for active treatment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* 1\. Completed cancer treatment (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) \> 6 months Patients with current endocrine therapy will be included for the study. 2\. Have been diagnosed with noninvasive or invasive (Stage 1, 2, or 3A) breast cancer or prostate cancer. 3\. Smoke 5 or more cigarettes per day and have a carbon monoxide (CO) level \> 5 ppm indicative of recent smoking. 4\. Not have received substance abuse treatment within the previous 30 days. 5. Meet criteria for low to moderate nicotine dependence as determined by FTND ≥1. 6\. Be willing to provide informed consent. 7. Be able to comply with protocol requirements and likely to complete all study procedures. 8\. Is willing to consider trying to quit smoking. 9. Have no active cardiac, neurologic, or psychiatric illness. 10. 0.5-10 years post diagnosis of cancer at the time enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

1. Current dependence, defined by Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-V criteria, on any psychoactive substances other than nicotine or caffeine. 2. Contraindication to rTMS (history of neurological disorder or seizure, increased intracranial pressure, brain surgery, or head trauma with loss of consciousness for \> 15 minutes, implanted electronic device, metal in the head, or pregnancy). 3. History of autoimmune, endocrine, viral, or vascular disorder affecting the brain. 4. History of neurological disorder that would lead to local or diffuse brain lesions or significant physical impairment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The Number of Enrollment12 monthsHow many cancer patients with smoking can be enrolled in 12 months?

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on the Number of Abstinence Days.5 daysTotal number of smoke-free days during a day quit attempt. Self-reported abstinence during the day quit attempt will be assessed via timeline. The maximum number of consecutive days of abstinence will be recorded. Participants who does not report at least one 24-hour period of abstinence will be recorded as 0 days abstinent.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of rTMS on Cigarette Consumption5 daysthe change of self-reported number of cigarettes smoked per day
Effect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke Cigarette5 daysBrief questionnaire of smoking urges - brief (QSU - Brief) is used to assess smoking urges. Ten questions are included in the test. Range of scales is 1-7 score for each item. The cue craving scales include 10 items. The range of the total score is 10- 70 score. The maximum number means the highest craving that is the worst outcome. The minimum number is the least craving for cigarettes that is the best outcome.
Adverse Events5 daysSide effect will be measured pre and post each rTMS session.
Study Attrition Rate12 monthsHow many subjects completed treatment and a 30 days follow-up.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Active rTMS Treatment
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System will be used for the active rTMS treatment. Stimulation frequency for all active subjects: 10 Hertz - Pulse train duration (on time) 5 seconds, Inter-train interval (off time) 10 seconds (15 second cycle time), Power (intensity) level 100% resting motor threshold, Total 60 trains, 15 minutes, Total pulses 3000 per day, 3000 x 5 = 15000 pulses for 5 sessions. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System is a US FDA approved treatment system for depression. The treatment research system includes motor threshold TMS coil, active TMS coil and sham TMS coil.
5
Sham rTMS Treatment
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System -sham TMS will be connected to an electrical generator on a 9 V battery and electrodes will be placed over the prefrontal cortex. The regulator is triggered by the TMS machine to allow brief, microsecond, pulses of the electrical current through to the skin on the subjects' forehead. Electrical stimulation will be triggered by the TMS machine to correspond to the sham TMS pulses. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Clinical Research System is a US FDA approved treatment system for depression. The treatment research system includes motor threshold TMS coil, active TMS coil and sham TMS coil.
6
Total11

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject12

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicActive rTMS TreatmentSham rTMS TreatmentTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
3 Participants3 Participants6 Participants
Age, Continuous63.25 years64.5 years63.9 years
Cigarette per day = the number of smoked cigarettes per 24 hours15 cigarettes10 cigarettes13 cigarettes
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants6 Participants11 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants3 Participants7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants5 Participants9 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 40 / 4
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 40 / 4
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 40 / 4

Outcome results

Primary

The Number of Enrollment

How many cancer patients with smoking can be enrolled in 12 months?

Time frame: 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Active rTMS TreatmentThe Number of Enrollment4 participants
Sham rTMS TreatmentThe Number of Enrollment4 participants
percentage
Secondary

Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on the Number of Abstinence Days.

Total number of smoke-free days during a day quit attempt. Self-reported abstinence during the day quit attempt will be assessed via timeline. The maximum number of consecutive days of abstinence will be recorded. Participants who does not report at least one 24-hour period of abstinence will be recorded as 0 days abstinent.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on the Number of Abstinence Days.0 days
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on the Number of Abstinence Days.0 days
Other Pre-specified

Adverse Events

Side effect will be measured pre and post each rTMS session.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Active rTMS TreatmentAdverse Events2 number of events
Sham rTMS TreatmentAdverse Events0 number of events
Other Pre-specified

Effect of rTMS on Cigarette Consumption

the change of self-reported number of cigarettes smoked per day

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cigarette Consumption12.17 number of cigarettesStandard Error 1.48
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cigarette Consumption11.29 number of cigarettesStandard Error 1.71
Other Pre-specified

Effect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke Cigarette

Brief questionnaire of smoking urges - brief (QSU - Brief) is used to assess smoking urges. Ten questions are included in the test. Range of scales is 1-7 score for each item. The cue craving scales include 10 items. The range of the total score is 10- 70 score. The maximum number means the highest craving that is the worst outcome. The minimum number is the least craving for cigarettes that is the best outcome.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 145.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 24.9
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 525.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 24.1
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 136.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 43.7
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 532.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 44.7
Other Pre-specified

Effect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke Cigarette

The change of visual analog scale (VAS). The VAS has 1-7 score. The minimum is 1 which means the best result. The maximum value of 7 is the worst outcome. The VAS was measured during 5 treatment sessions.

Time frame: 5 days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 15.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.1
Active rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 53.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.2
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 13.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.9
Sham rTMS TreatmentEffect of rTMS on Cue Craving to Smoke CigaretteSession 53.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Other Pre-specified

Study Attrition Rate

How many subjects completed treatment and a 30 days follow-up.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: One dropped out of the study.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Active rTMS TreatmentStudy Attrition Rate1 participants
Sham rTMS TreatmentStudy Attrition Rate0 participants

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