Context-Guided Personalized iTBS for Depression

Sponsor
Capital Medical University
Study ID
NCT07743398
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 55 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Context-Guided Personalized Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation — DEVICE
    An individualized stimulation target in the left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is selected using the participant's functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Before each stimulation session, the participant watches a positive emotional video intended to engage brain functions related to the selected target. Intermittent theta burst stimulation is delivered at 100% of the resting motor threshold. Each session delivers 1,800 pulses over approximately 10 minutes. Participants receive five sessions per day, with approximately 50 minutes between sessions, for five consecutive treatment days.
  • Standard Left DLPFC Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation — DEVICE
    Intermittent theta burst stimulation is delivered to a standard treatment target in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Before each stimulation session, the participant watches a neutral video. Stimulation is delivered at 100% of the resting motor threshold. Each session delivers 1,800 pulses over approximately 10 minutes. Participants receive five sessions per day, with approximately 50 minutes between sessions, for five consecutive treatment days.

Study Details

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn whether context-guided personalized intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) works better than standard iTBS for adults with major depressive disorder. iTBS is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Participants will be assigned by chance to one of two treatment groups. The standard treatment group will receive iTBS at a commonly used target in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex after watching a neutral video. The personalized treatment group will receive iTBS at an individual brain target selected using magnetic resonance imaging data. Before each treatment session, participants in this group will watch a positive emotional video intended to activate brain functions related to the selected target. Both groups will receive five iTBS sessions per day for five consecutive treatment days. Participants will continue their stable antidepressant treatment during the study. The main question is whether context-guided personalized iTBS results in a higher treatment response rate than standard iTBS two weeks after treatment. Treatment response is defined as a reduction of at least 50% from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score. Researchers will also compare early changes in depression, anxiety and other clinical symptoms, changes in brain imaging measures, and any side effects. Clinical and brain imaging assessments will be conducted before and after the treatment course, and clinical symptoms will be assessed again two weeks after treatment.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 3, 2026
Start date
Sep 30, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Oct 30, 2027
Completion
Oct 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Context-Guided Personalized iTBS
    Participants assigned to this arm will receive context-guided personalized intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS). An individualized stimulation target in the left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex will be selected based on the participant's functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Before each iTBS session, participants will watch a positive emotional video intended to engage the brain functions related to the individualized target. Participants will receive five iTBS sessions per day, with approximately 50 minutes between sessions, for five consecutive treatment days. Each session will last approximately 10 minutes and deliver 1,800 pulses at 100% of the resting motor threshold.
  • Active Comparator: Standard Left DLPFC iTBS
    Participants assigned to this arm will receive standard intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Before each iTBS session, participants will watch a neutral video. Participants will receive five iTBS sessions per day, with approximately 50 minutes between sessions, for five consecutive treatment days. Each session will last approximately 10 minutes and deliver 1,800 pulses at 100% of the resting motor threshold.

Primary Outcome Measure

Treatment Response Rate at 2-Week Follow-up Based on HAMD-17 [ Time Frame: At 2 weeks after completion of treatment (Day 21 ± 2 days). ]

Central Contacts

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