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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation vs Theta Burst Stimulation in Major Depressive Disorder

A Blinded, Randomized Trial Comparing the Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Theta Burst Stimulation in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04497350
Enrollment
30
Registered
2020-08-04
Start date
2020-01-06
Completion date
2024-12-31
Last updated
2022-09-28

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

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

transcranial magnetic stimulation, theta burst stimulation

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in efficacy between transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) treatment in subjects suffering from major depressive disorder.

Detailed description

Up to 30 patients of any gender aged from 18 to 70 years old will be recruited for inclusion once candidacy has been established by screening criteria. Once recruited, patients will be randomly assigned to the TMS treatment group or the iTBS treatment group. Patients will be blinded to their group assignment, but will be informed of their assignment upon the final outcome measure collection timepoint (e.g., 1 month post-treatment). Patients who failed to respond by 1-month post iTBS or TMS treatment will be allowed to cross-over into the other treatment group and will be re-enrolled into the study. For patients assigned to the TMS treatment group, the treatment protocol will consist of 20 sessions of TMS treatment. Each TMS session will deliver 5,000 pulses (120-140% MT, continuous temperature of 24C) over an 61 minute, 51 second time period. Patients will have one TMS session per day, five days a week, until their treatment is completed (approximately four weeks). Upon completion, the patient's depressive symptomatology and severity will be assessed using the same outcome measures used at baseline. For patients assigned to the iTBS treatment group, the treatment protocol will consist of 20 sessions of iTBS treatment. Each iTBS session will deliver 1,800 pulses (120-140% MT, continuous temperature of 24C) over an 9-minute-40-second period. Patients will have up to four iTBS sessions per day, five days a week, until their treatment is completed (approximately 1 week). Upon completion, the patient's depressive symptomatology and severity will be assessed using the same outcome measures used at baseline.

Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Magnetic Stimulation

5,000 pulses (120-140% MT, continuous temperature of 24C) will be delivered per session (see Appendix A for timing parameters). Patients will have one TMS session per day, five days a week, until their treatment is completed (approximately four weeks).

DEVICETheta Burst Stimulation

One session of iTBS will deliver 1,800 pulses (120-140% MT, continuous temperature of 22ºC) over an 9-minute-40-second period. The minimum break period between iTBS sessions is 25 minutes.

Sponsors

Neurological Associates of West Los Angeles
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Intervention model description

This is a single-site, randomized, blinded, clinical trial comparing the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) in subjects with treatment refractory depression (trMDD). The study will recruit 30 subjects, all suffering from treatment refractory depression (trMDD). Half of the subjects (15) will be randomized to the TMS treatment group, while the other half will be assigned to the iTBS treatment group. The randomization ratio will be 1:1.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder * Score greater than 13 on the Beck Depression Inventory * Failure to remit with 3 antidepressants * At least 18 years of age * Must be willing to comply with the study protocol * English Proficiency

Exclusion criteria

* Hepatic impairment * Significant cytopenia * Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular arterial thrombosis * Advanced terminal illness * Any active cancer or chemotherapy * Bone marrow disease * Neurodegenerative diseases * Myeloproliferative disorders * Sickle cell disease * Subjects with scalp rash or open wounds on the scalp * Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding * Subjects unable to give informed consent or in vulnerable categories, such as prisoners * Subjects who would not be able to lay down without excessive movement * Recent surgery or dental work within 3 months of the scheduled procedure * Not English Proficient * Advanced stages of any terminal illness or any active cancer that requires chemotherapy * History of epilepsy or seizure, or history of such in first degree relative * An increased risk of seizure for any reason * Stents in the neck or brain * Aneurysm clips or coils * Metal devices/objects in or near the head * Metallic implants near the ears and eyes * Facial tattoos with metallic or magnetic-sensitive ink * Comorbid psychiatric conditions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Global Rating of Change (GRC)1 monthThe GRC consists of a single likert-scale ranging from -5 (very much worse) to 0 (neutral/no change) to 5 (very much better). The GRC is obtained in an interview format to assess a patient's perceived change in status following a treatment. A score that is at least 2 or greater is considered to indicate clinically significant change.
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)1 monthThe BDI-II is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory. Each question involves four possible responses, ranging in intensity from 0 (this item does not apply) to 3 (this item applies severely). The test is scored as the sum of all of the response values; this number is used to determine the severity of depressive symptoms. A score of 0 to 3 is possible for each question with a maximum total score of 63 points. The standard cutoff scores are as follows: 0-13 total points = minimal depression; 14-19 total points = mild depression; 20-28 total points = moderate depression; and 29-63 total points = severe depression. A reduction in the total score by at least 30% is considered to be clinically significant.
Patient Depression Questionnaire (PDQ-9)1 monthThe PDQ-9 is a 9-item, self-report questionnaire to evaluate for depressive symptoms. Each question asks the patient if they have experienced a particular depressive symptom over the past two weeks. Answers may range from 0 (not at all), 1 (several days/week), 2 (more than half of the days), and 3 (nearly every day). Maximum total score is 27 points. A higher score indicates more severe depressive symptoms. A reduction in total score by at least 30% is considered clinically meaningful.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)1 monthThe HAM-D is a 17-item, interview style questionnaire. A trained staff member administers this form to a patient and scores the patients' responses on a scale of 0 (symptom absent) to 4 (most severe option per symptom). A higher total score indicates a more severe level of depression. The maximum possible score is 50 points. A change in score of at least 30% is considered clinically meaningful.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)2 monthsThe BDI-II is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory. Each question involves four possible responses, ranging in intensity from 0 (this item does not apply) to 3 (this item applies severely). The test is scored as the sum of all of the response values; this number is used to determine the severity of depressive symptoms. A score of 0 to 3 is possible for each question with a maximum total score of 63 points. The standard cutoff scores are as follows: 0-13 total points = minimal depression; 14-19 total points = mild depression; 20-28 total points = moderate depression; and 29-63 total points = severe depression. A reduction in the total score by at least 30% is considered to be clinically significant.
Patient Depression Questionnaire (PDQ-9)2 monthsThe PDQ-9 is a 9-item, self-report questionnaire to evaluate for depressive symptoms. Each question asks the patient if they have experienced a particular depressive symptom over the past two weeks. Answers may range from 0 (not at all), 1 (several days/week), 2 (more than half of the days), and 3 (nearly every day). Maximum total score is 27 points. A higher score indicates more severe depressive symptoms. A reduction in total score by at least 30% is considered clinically meaningful.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)2 monthsThe HAM-D is a 17-item, interview style questionnaire. A trained staff member administers this form to a patient and scores the patients' responses on a scale of 0 (symptom absent) to 4 (most severe option per symptom). A higher total score indicates a more severe level of depression. The maximum possible score is 50 points. A change in score of at least 30% is considered clinically meaningful.
Global Rating of Change (GRC)2 monthsThe GRC consists of a single likert-scale ranging from -5 (very much worse) to 0 (neutral/no change) to 5 (very much better). The GRC is obtained in an interview format to assess a patient's perceived change in status following a treatment. A score that is at least 2 or greater is considered to indicate clinically significant change.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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