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AzTrials

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)rTMSCANSZNCT03189810

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Cannabis Use and Cognitive Outcomes in Schizophrenia

A study testing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Weekly Counselling Session in people with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Schizophrenia, run by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 1 site in Canada.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The high prevalence of cannabis and other substance use disorders are a major barrier to recovery in people with schizophrenia. Moreover, schizophrenia patients have significant deficits in cognitive function, which may be exacerbated by cannabis use. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 55 years
What is being tested?
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Weekly Counselling Session
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
1 Jun 2017to 30 Jun 2021
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 55 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male (80%) or Female (20%);
  • Age 18-55;
  • Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM-5) criteria for Schizophrenia (SZ) or schizoaffective disorder and cannabis use disorder with physiological dependence;
  • Full scale intelligence quotient (IQ) ≥ 80 determined through the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR);
  • Non-smokers OR cigarette smokers as confirmed with Fragerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score of 5 or higher, self reported smoking of at lest 5 cigarettes per day (measured by the Timeline Follow Back), and verified by a Smokerlyzer test, cut-off as 10 ppm.

Who cannot join

  • DSM-5 diagnoses of alcohol, substance or polyuse substance use disorder in the past 6 months (other than cannabis/caffeine or nicotine);
  • Currently active suicidal ideation or self-harm (suicidal or non-suicidal) as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5);
  • Head injury resulting in loss of consciousness (>5 minutes) and hospitalization;
  • Major neurological or medical illness including seizure disorder or syncope;
  • Metallic implants;
  • History of rTMS treatment;
  • Pregnancy.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

    Toronto, Ontario, M6J1H4

Other trials in Canada

About this study

The high prevalence of cannabis and other substance use disorders are a major barrier to recovery in people with schizophrenia. Moreover, schizophrenia patients have significant deficits in cognitive function, which may be exacerbated by cannabis use. Complicating these problems is the lack of evidence-based treatments for co-morbid cannabis use disorders (CUDs) in schizophrenia; there are no established pharmacotherapies. Therefore, this study is investigating the effects of high-frequency (20Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cannabis use disorder and cognitive function in patients with co-morbid schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. The proposed study would be the first randomized, double-blind, sham controlled trial of rTMS in patients with schizophrenia and co-morbid CUD. A total of N=40 schizophrenia smokers with co-morbid cannabis use disorder will be assigned to either active rTMS (N=20) or sham rTMS (N=20) as a treatment regimen of 5X/week treatment for four consecutive weeks. All participants will receive weekly behavioral therapy for 4 weeks. The investigators predict that active rTMS will be well-tolerated and superior to sham rTMS for the treatment of CUD in schizophrenia.

Being tested
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Weekly Counselling Session
Keywords
Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Schizophrenia, Cannabis Use Disorder, Cognitive Function
Medical subject headings
Schizophrenia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device

    On Day 1, the resting motor threshold (RMT) will be determined according to previous published methods [Cardenas-Morales et al. 2013] and the rTMS will be delivered at an intensity of 90% of the participant's RMT. rTMS will be administered at 20 Hz (25 trains, 30 pulses per train, 30 second intertrain interval).

  • Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device

    On Day 1, the resting motor threshold (RMT) will be determined according to previous published methods [Cardenas-Morales et al. 2013] and the Sham rTMS will be delivered at an intensity of 90% of the participant's RMT. rTMS will be administered at 20 Hz with the B65 placebo coil (25 trains, 30 pulses per train, 30 second intertrain interval).

  • Weekly Counselling SessionBehavioural

    In order to support participants in their abstinence plan, individual weekly sessions of supportive counselling will be administered over the course of the study on 1 time per week over 4 weeks (28 days of abstinence).

Study groups in NCT03189810
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active rTMS (20Hz)ExperimentalActive rTMS administered with the MagProX100/R30 stimulator equipped with the B65 active coil for dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulator (MagVenture, Farum, Denmark).The randomization order will be determined by a project scientist from Temerty. While the primary aim of this study is not to treat individuals with cannabis dependence, it is imperative that participants attend weekly study visits in an attempt to achieve end of study (Day 28) cannabis abstinence.
Receives: Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS); Behavioral: Weekly Counselling Session
Sham rTMSSham comparatorSham rTMS administered with the MagProX100/R30 stimulator equipped with the B65 placebo coil for DLPFC stimulator (MagVenture, Farum, Denmark). The randomization order will be determined by a project scientist from Temerty. While the primary aim of this study is not to treat individuals with cannabis dependence, it is imperative that participants attend weekly study visits in an attempt to achieve end of study (Day 28) cannabis abstinence.
Receives: Device: Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS); Behavioral: Weekly Counselling Session

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The effects of active versus sham rTMS directed to DLPFC on cannabis abstinence in cannabis-dependent patients with schizophrenia as assessed by urine screens for changes in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

    Urine samples will be collected weekly during the abstinence period and tested by study personnel using the Semi-Quantitative THC Pre-Dosage Test (NarcoCheck®, Villejuif, France).

    Measured: Weekly (Day 0, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28) and at 8 weeks (Follow-up Day 56)

  2. The effects of active versus sham rTMS directed to DLPFC on cannabis abstinence in cannabis-dependent patients with schizophrenia as assessed by urine screens for changes in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

    Urine samples at Day 28 and Follow-Up (Day 56) will be sent to CAMH's clinical laboratory for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis to obtain quantitative THC-COOH and creatinine concentrations. Thus abstinence will also be assessed with combined quantitative urinalysis (<50 ng/ml) and TLFB assessment.

    Measured: Up to 4 weeks (Day 28) and 8 weeks (Follow-Up Day 56)

Secondary outcomes (1)

  1. The effects of active (20 Hz) versus sham rTMS on change in cognitive function in cannabis dependent patients with schizophrenia as assessed by a cognitive battery administered at Baseline and at Day 28.

    The cognitive battery (Day 28) will include the primary outcome of verbal memory (assessed by HVLT) and will be compared to baseline (Day 1) performance. Cortical inhibition will also be assessed and compared between Day 1 and Day 28 performance.

    Measured: Up to 4 weeks (Day 28) and 8 weeks (Follow-Up Day 56)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Jun 2017
  2. Study start1 Jun 2017
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2021
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2021

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
24 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03189810
Sponsor's protocol ID
017-2017
Acronym
rTMSCANSZ
Status last verified
Sep 2023
First submitted
29 May 2017
Last updated
5 Sep 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Johnstone S, Sorkhou M, Zhang M, Dermody SS, Rabin RA, George TP. Cannabis cravings predict cigarette use in schizophrenia: a secondary analysis from two cannabis abstinence studies. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2024 Jan 2;50(1):95-105. doi: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2292010. Epub 2024 Jan 12.

    PubMed 38214479

  • Johnstone S, Lowe DJE, Kozak-Bidzinski K, Sanches M, Castle DJ, Rabin JS, Rabin RA, George TP. Neurocognitive moderation of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) effects on cannabis use in schizophrenia: a preliminary analysis. Schizophrenia (Heidelb). 2022 Nov 17;8(1):99. doi: 10.1038/s41537-022-00303-2.

    PubMed 36384966

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Weekly Counselling Session in people with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Schizophrenia, run by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Sep 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The effects of active versus sham rTMS directed to DLPFC on cannabis abstinence in cannabis-dependent patients with schizophrenia as assessed by urine screens for changes in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. (time frame: Weekly (Day 0, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28) and at 8 weeks (Follow-up Day 56)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03189810, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Sep 2023; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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