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Evaluation of Theta-burst Stimulation Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability in Major Depressive Episodes of Bipolar I Disorder

Evaluation of Theta-burst Stimulation Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability in Major Depressive Episodes of Bipolar I Disorder: Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind, Parallel-group Clinical Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05501626
Enrollment
60
Registered
2022-08-15
Start date
2022-07-10
Completion date
2024-08-31
Last updated
2022-08-15

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

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder, Type 1

Keywords

randomized clinical trial, transcranial magnetic stimulation, bipolar affective disorder, major depression

Brief summary

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacological treatment of major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by suboptimal efficacy rates, poor tolerability and adherence, delayed onset of action, and iatrogenic mood swings. The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been presented as an effective, safe and well-tolerated alternative to the treatment of uni- and bipolar depressive episodes. Recently, a new rTMS protocol was introduced, theta-burst stimulation (TBS), whose studies have shown similar efficacy with a shorter time interval than conventional rTMS. Most clinical trials performed to date evaluate the use of TBS in patients with unipolar depression or mixed samples of uni and bipolar patients. The effectiveness of TBS exclusively in BD has not been properly studied. METHODS: We will perform a 6-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, sham-controlled clinical trial of active or sham TBS. We will recruit 60 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of BD type I in a current moderate or severe major depressive episode resistant to at least two first- or second-line pharmacological treatments, according to CANMAT guidelines. The primary outcome measure will be the assessment of TBS efficacy through difference in scores on 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) from baseline until the end of week 6 of intervention between active and sham groups. KEYWORDS: randomized clinical trial; transcranial magnetic stimulation; bipolar affective disorder; major depression.

Interventions

Each session will be comprised of ACTIVE TBS: intermittent excitatory stimulation (iTBS) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex totaling 37,800 pulses.

Each session will be comprised of SHAM TBS: intermittent excitatory stimulation (iTBS) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex totaling 37,800 pulses.

Sponsors

University of Sao Paulo
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Current moderate or severe major depressive episode in bipolar I disorder assessed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥ 17 points. * Any appropriate first or second line pharmacological regimen in accordance with Canmat guidelines to treat a major depressive episode in bipolar I disorder: Quetiapine 300 - 600 mg/dia; Lithium serum levels 0,6 - 1,2 meq/L; Lamotrigine 100 - 200 mg/dia; Lurasidone 20 - 120 mg/dia; Divalproex; Lithium/Divalproex + Lurasidone; Lithium/Divalproex + Lamotrigine; Olanzapine 5 - 20 mg/day + Fluoxetine 20 - 60 mg/day; Lithium/Divalproex + SSRI/Bupropion.

Exclusion criteria

* Concomitant diagnosis of other neuropsychiatric disorders such as: schizophrenia, dementias, mental retardation, organic mental disorder, or epilepsy; * Acute suicide ideation (assessed by interview and clinical evaluation); * Acute psychotic depression (assessed by interview and clinical evaluation); * Suspected or confirmed pregnancy; * Women in breastfeeding; * Severe or unstable clinical disease; * Previous rTMS treatment; * Specific contraindications to TBS: previous epileptic seizures; change in electroencephalogram at some point in life; previous stroke; previous severe traumatic brain injury (with neurosurgery); metallic object on head (except mouth) as projectile piece, surgical clip, welding fragments; any implanted device (cardiac pacemaker, intravenous catheter).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Primary Outcome MeasureFrom baseline to week 6Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

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