Skip to content

rTMS for Stimulant Use Disorders

rTMS for Stimulant Use Disorders (CTN-0108)

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04907357
Acronym
CTN-0108
Enrollment
129
Registered
2021-05-28
Start date
2022-02-04
Completion date
2024-06-07
Last updated
2025-07-03

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

Conditions

Cocaine Abuse, Cocaine Dependence, Cocaine Use Disorder, Methamphetamine Abuse, Methamphetamine Dependence, Methamphetamine Use Disorder, Stimulant Abuse, Stimulant Use, Stimulant Use Disorder

Keywords

Stimulant, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, rTMS

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to determine feasibility of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for individuals with moderate to severe cocaine or methamphetamine use disorder (CUD/MUD). Potential participants will be age 18-65, and interested in cutting down or stopping use. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups; groups will receive rTMS or sham rTMS (placebo) over the course of an 8-week treatment period, and complete follow-up assessments at the end of treatment, 12, and 16 weeks post-randomization.

Detailed description

The study will be a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial comparing rTMS vs. placebo delivered over an 8-week treatment period. After assessment and inclusion into the study, participants will be randomized to receive up to 30 sessions of either rTMS or placebo treatments. The target minimum number of rTMS/placebo treatments is 20 treatments over 8 weeks. The secondary objective is to gather preliminary data on the efficacy of rTMS for individuals with moderate to severe CUD or MUD. Follow-up visits occur at end of treatment and at 12- and 16-weeks following randomization. Other study procedures: Actigraphy: To assess daily sleep quality during weeks 1-8, the ActiGraph wristband device will record, sleep latency, sleep duration, and intervals of waking during the sleep period. Electroencephalography (EEG): EEG will be obtained after randomization and again at week 4, to explore the potential for EEG to be used as a biomarker of treatment response. Cognitive-Behavioral Educational Intervention: Participants in both conditions (rTMS and placebo) will be encouraged to participate in a mobile app-based educational intervention based on principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Daily Assessments: Brief, electronic remote surveys will be administered to participants daily until week 16 follow-up time point and will assess use of primary substance of abuse, craving, ability to resist use, overall mood, and self-rated sleep quality. Urine Drug Screens (UDS): UDS will be collected at screening, randomization, every treatment session, and at follow-up visits. Urine pregnancy tests: Pregnancy testing for all female participants will be performed at screening, randomization, and monthly during the treatment period. Physical exam: A physical exam will be performed at screening. Questionnaires: A battery of study assessments will be completed to further inform findings regarding feasibility and effects of rTMS on individuals with stimulant use disorders.

Interventions

DEVICErTMS

Each rTMS session will consist of 75 rTMS trains of 10 Hz for 4 seconds (40 pulses per train) with inter-train interval (ITI) of 11 seconds (a total of 3000 stimuli per session) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

Each sham rTMS session will consist of 75 rTMS trains of 10 Hz for 4 seconds (40 pulses per train) with inter-train interval (ITI) of 11 seconds (a total of 3000 stimuli per session) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In the placebo condition the magnetic field will be delivered in the opposite direction (away from the brain).

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Intervention model description

This is a double-blind, sham-controlled study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* 18-65, inclusive * Have a diagnosis of moderate or severe Cocaine or Methamphetamine Use Disorder (CUD/MUD) over the past 12 months (as determined by DSM-5 diagnostic criteria). * Have used cocaine or methamphetamine on at least 10 of the last 30 days (based on Timeline Follow-Back). * Be interested in decreasing cocaine and/or methamphetamine use. * If female, willing to use appropriate birth control method during the treatment phase of the study. * Be able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent to participate in the study. * If prescribed benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants, must be on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to consent.

Exclusion criteria

* A Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) diagnosis of moderate or severe SUD of any substance other than cocaine or methamphetamine based on DSM-5. * History of a serious medical disorder that, in the opinion of the Medical Clinician, would make it unsafe to participate in the study or may prevent collection of study data. * Is currently engaged in formal SUD treatment. * Documented history of unprovoked seizure (lifetime) or any seizure in the past 6 months. * Documented history of brain lesion(s) and/or tumor(s). * Metal implants or non-removable metal objects above the waist. * Currently pregnant. * Lifetime history of prior clinical treatment with TMS. * Current or lifetime bipolar disorder. * Current psychotic disorder or psychotic depression. * Serious risk of homicide or suicide. * Are a prisoner or in police custody at the time of eligibility screening. * Previously randomized as a participant in the study. * Planned admission to a residential treatment facility or other formal SUD treatment program. * Unwilling or unable to follow study procedures.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.From first treatment session (Week 1, first study visit) to end of treatment at 8 weeksTreatment session attendance and completion will be tracked over the course of the study, and this record will constitute the primary feasibility outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Negative UDS From Weekly UDSFrom first treatment week (Week 1) to end of treatment at 8 weeksA negative UDS for participants with cocaine as primary substance would be a UDS absent of cocaine; a negative UDS for participants with methamphetamine as primary substance would be a UDS absent of methamphetamine.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
rTMS
Participants will receive up to 30 rTMS sessions within the 8-week treatment period. rTMS: Each rTMS session will consist of 75 rTMS trains of 10 Hz for 4 seconds (40 pulses per train) with inter-train interval (ITI) of 11 seconds (a total of 3000 stimuli per session) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
66
Sham (Placebo)
Participants will receive up to 30 sham rTMS sessions within the 8-week treatment period. Sham (Placebo): Each sham rTMS session will consist of 75 rTMS trains of 10 Hz for 4 seconds (40 pulses per train) with inter-train interval (ITI) of 11 seconds (a total of 3000 stimuli per session) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In the placebo condition the magnetic field will be delivered in the opposite direction (away from the brain).
63
Total129

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDeath01
Overall StudyIncarcerated11
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up918
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10
Overall StudyUnable to attend visits10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject01

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicrTMSSham (Placebo)Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
65 Participants62 Participants127 Participants
Age, Continuous46.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.38
46.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.2
46.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.77
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
11 Participants8 Participants19 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
55 Participants55 Participants110 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Major Depressive Episode
Absent
61 Participants59 Participants120 Participants
Major Depressive Episode
Present
5 Participants4 Participants9 Participants
Primary substance of use
Cocaine
27 Participants26 Participants53 Participants
Primary substance of use
Methamphetamine
39 Participants37 Participants76 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
26 Participants28 Participants54 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
3 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
32 Participants30 Participants62 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
66 participants63 participants129 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
20 Participants13 Participants33 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
46 Participants50 Participants96 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
1 / 660 / 63
other
Total, other adverse events
45 / 6629 / 63
serious
Total, serious adverse events
5 / 662 / 63

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.

Treatment session attendance and completion will be tracked over the course of the study, and this record will constitute the primary feasibility outcome.

Time frame: From first treatment session (Week 1, first study visit) to end of treatment at 8 weeks

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
rTMSPercentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.Attended 20 or more rTMS/sham sessions29 Participants
rTMSPercentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.Attended fewer than 20 rTMS/sham sessions37 Participants
Sham (Placebo)Percentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.Attended 20 or more rTMS/sham sessions40 Participants
Sham (Placebo)Percentage of Participants Who Receive at Least 20 Sessions of rTMS/Sham Over the Treatment Period.Attended fewer than 20 rTMS/sham sessions23 Participants
Secondary

Negative UDS From Weekly UDS

A negative UDS for participants with cocaine as primary substance would be a UDS absent of cocaine; a negative UDS for participants with methamphetamine as primary substance would be a UDS absent of methamphetamine.

Time frame: From first treatment week (Week 1) to end of treatment at 8 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
rTMSNegative UDS From Weekly UDSNegative UDS38 Urine drug screens
rTMSNegative UDS From Weekly UDSPositive UDS369 Urine drug screens
Sham (Placebo)Negative UDS From Weekly UDSNegative UDS30 Urine drug screens
Sham (Placebo)Negative UDS From Weekly UDSPositive UDS384 Urine drug screens

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 5, 2026