AzTrials
AzTrials

Depression and SuicideaTBSNCT03601117

Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Depressive Symptoms

A study testing Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation and Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation in people with Depression and Suicide, run by Stanford University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

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

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation for depressive symptoms in psychiatric inpatients. A small pilot study (n=22) will be carried out to demonstrate feasibility, using the FDA-approved stimulation site for depression treatment (L-DLPFC). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 85 years
Conditions the study is for
Depression and Suicide
What is being tested?
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation and Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
23 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Jul 2018to 1 Jun 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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 85 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Over 18 years old
  • Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent prior to screening. Participants will be deemed likely to comply with study protocol and communicate with study personnel about adverse events and other clinically important information.
  • Currently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and/or in a current major depressive episode, according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
  • Currently an inpatient at Stanford Hospital
  • Meet the threshold on the total HAMD17 score of >/=20 at screening/baseline.
  • Qualifies and has access to outpatient rTMS treatment

Who cannot join

  • Any structural lesion e.g. structural neurological condition, more subcortical lesions than would be expected for age, stroke effecting stimulated area or connected areas or any other clinically significant abnormality that might affect safety, study participation, or confound interpretation of study results.
  • Metal implant in brain (e.g. deep brain stimulation), cardiac pacemaker, or cochlear
  • History of epilepsy/ seizures (including history of withdrawal/ provoked seizures)
  • Shrapnel or any ferromagnetic item in the head
  • Pregnancy
  • Autism Spectrum disorder
Show all 17Show fewer
  • Active substance use (<1 week) or intoxication verified by toxicology screen--of cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines
  • Any current or past history of any physical condition which in the investigator's opinion might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation
  • Cognitive impairment (including dementia)
  • Current severe insomnia (must sleep a minimum of 4 hours the night before stimulation)
  • Current mania
  • Current unmanageable psychosis
  • IQ <70
  • Showing symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines
  • Parkinsonism or other movement d/o determined by PI to interfere with treatment
  • More subcortical lesions than would be expected for age or a stroke effecting stimulated area or connected areas.
  • Any other indication the PI feels would comprise data.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Stanford Hospital

    Palo Alto, California, 94305

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation for depressive symptoms in psychiatric inpatients.

A small pilot study (n=22) will be carried out to demonstrate feasibility, using the FDA-approved stimulation site for depression treatment (L-DLPFC). Participants will be offered stimulation at the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Read the detailed description

This study intends to investigate whether modifying stimulation parameters enables typical 6-8 week long rTMS protocols to be compressed to only five days. The influence of this accelerated protocol on the length of patient stay in the hospital will be investigated.

Being tested
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation, Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation
Medical subject headings
Depression, Suicide

What participants receive

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

  • Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst StimulationDevice

    Participants will receive iTBS (intermittent theta burst stimulation) to the left DLPFC.

    Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 80% of resting motor threshold (adjusted for cortical depth).

    Stimulation will be delivered using the Brainsway TMS system.

  • Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst StimulationDevice

    Participants will receive iTBS (intermittent theta burst stimulation) to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

    Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 80% of resting motor threshold (adjusted for cortical depth).

    Stimulation will be delivered using the Brainsway TMS system.

Study groups in NCT03601117
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dorsolateral Prefrontal CortexExperimentalThe accelerated theta burst stimulation protocol will be applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), for 10 sessions per day for up to 5 days.
Receives: Device: Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation
Anterior Cingulate CortexExperimentalThe accelerated theta burst stimulation protocol will be applied to the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), for 10 sessions per day for up to 5 days.
Receives: Device: Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score

    A 10-item clinician-administered scale, designed to be particularly sensitive to antidepressant treatment effects in patients with major depression. Severity gradations for the MADRS have been proposed: 9-17 = mild depression, 18-34 = moderate depression, and ≥ 35 = severe depression. Scores range from 0-60 (higher scores are more symptomatic).

    Response is defined as a 50% reduction or greater in MADRS score compared to baseline. Remission is defined as a MADRS score of <10.

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Change in Scale of Suicidal Ideation (SSI) Score

    19-item clinician administered assessment to measure the intensity, pervasiveness, and characteristics of suicidal ideation in adults.

    Scores range from 0-38. Higher scores indicate more suicidality.

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  2. Change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Six Item (HAMD-6) Score

    Clinical assessment measuring depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0-24 with scores >5 indicating clinical levels of depressive symptoms (higher scores are more symptomatic).

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  3. Change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)

    The Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) is one of the most frequently utilized rating scales to assess manic symptoms. The scale has 11 items and is based on the patient's subjective report of his or her clinical condition.

    There are four items that are graded on a 0 to 8 scale (irritability, speech, thought content, and disruptive/aggressive behavior), while the remaining seven items are graded on a 0 to 4 scale. These four items are given twice the weight of the others to compensate for poor cooperation from severely ill patients.

    Typical YMRS baseline scores can vary a lot. They depend on the patients' clinical features such as mania (YMRS = 12), depression (YMRS = 3), or euthymia (YMRS = 2).

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  4. Change in Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II)

    The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is a 21-item, self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. BDI-II items are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3 based on severity of each item. The maximum total score is 63.

    Scores: 0-13= minimal depression, 14-19=mild depression, 20-28=moderate depression, 29-63=severe depression.

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  5. Change in Quick Inventory Depressive Scale-Self Reported (QIDS) Score

    Self-report measure of depressive symptoms. The questionnaire consists of 16 questions. Each question can score between 0 to 4 points.

    Severity of depression is determined as follows: 0=None, 1=Mild, 2=Moderate, 3=Severe, 4=Very Severe.

    Total scores range from 0-27. Total scores: 0-5= no depression, 6-10= mild depression, 11-15= moderate depression, 16-20= severe depression, 21-27= very severe depression.

    The total score is obtained by adding the scores for each of the nine symptom domains of the DSM-IV MDD criteria: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, concentration/decision making, self-outlook, suicidal ideation, energy/fatigability, sleep, weight/appetite change, and psychomotor changes (Rush et al. 2003).

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  6. Change in Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale-20 Item Version (PIRS-20) Score

    Self-report, 20 item scale to determine patient's insomnia level.

    Each question can be scored between 0-3. 0=not bothered at all

    slightly bothered moderately bothered severely bothered

    Total score is calculated by adding up all questions (i.e. Q1+Q2+...Q20). One missing item is allowed, pro-rate if missing one item....i.e. (sum/count)*20.

    Minimum Score = 0 (good); Maximum Score = 60 (bad).

    Data are presented as a raw score point change.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  7. Change in Resting-state Recordings and TMS-evoked Potentials in EEG Data.

    For the first and last stimulation session, EEG recording will be made before (resting-state EEG) and during (TMS-evoked potentials) the stimulation.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  8. Biomarker Analysis in Patient Blood (Plasma) Samples

    Blood (plasma) samples will be collected before and one month after stimulation. Blood collection is conducted by the registered hospital phlebotomist (following same protocol of a routine blood test).

    Blood samples will be analyzed by our collaborators at the Open Medicine Institute. Specifically, samples will be used for DNA/RNA extraction and analyses will be done to determine potential gene targets. Presence of inflammatory markers (cytokines) will also be determined.

    All analyses of blood samples will be conducted in the Open Medicine Institute.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  9. Biomarker Analysis in Patient Stool Samples

    Stool samples will be collected before and one month after stimulation. Stool collection is performed by registered hospital nurses.

    Stool samples will be analyzed by our collaborators at the Open Medicine Institute. Specifically, stool samples will be analyzed for potential biomarkers in the gut microbiome.

    All analyses of stool samples will be conducted in the Open Medicine Institute.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  10. Biomarker Analysis in Patient Saliva Samples

    Saliva samples will be collected before and one month after stimulation. Saliva collection is performed by registered study personnel.

    Saliva samples will be analyzed by our collaborators at the Open Medicine Institute. Specifically, saliva samples will be analyzed for cortisol levels.

    All analyses of stool samples will be conducted in the Open Medicine Institute.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  11. Change in th Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-short Form Score

    15-item self-report questionnaire where each item is scored from very poor=1 to very good=5.

    The scoring of the Q-LES-Q-SF involves summing only the first 14 items to yield a raw total score.

    The last two items are not included in the total score but are stand-alone items.

    The raw total score ranges from 14 (min) to 70 (max).

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  12. Change in Performance on the NIH Toolbox

    Neurocognitive assessments delivered through an iPad app

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  13. Change in Immediate Mood Scaler (Ims-12) Depression Subscale Score

    Immediate Mood Scaler (IMS) is a newly developed, iPad-deliverable 12-item self-report tool designed to capture current mood states with overall score, and depression and anxiety subscales. Individual item scores range from 1-7, with a total overall score range from 12-84.

    Data are presented as a raw score point change in depression subscale score. The depression subscale scores range from 7-49 (higher score indicating worse depression).

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

  14. Change in Heart Rate Variability

    Measure presence of any change in heart rate variability.

    Data is reported as a ratio of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) (LF/HF FFT).

    FFT: fast Fourier transform.

    Measured: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted26 Jul 2018
  2. Study start1 Jul 2018
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2020
  4. Study completion1 Jun 2020

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
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A small pilot study (n=22) will be an open-label study in which all participants receive stimulation to the L-DLPFC to demonstrate feasibility of delivering this accelerated protocol on an inpatient unit. For participants who do not respond to L-DLPFC stimulation, we will offer an alternative site, the ACC. If patients are enrolled that have a psychiatric diagnosis other than MDD, scales measuring symptoms related to their other diagnosis/(es) will also be collected in addition to measuring change in depressive symptoms (see 'other pre-specified outcome measures' for a list of measures used to measure symptoms related to psychiatric diagnoses other than depression).
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
23 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03601117
Sponsor's protocol ID
41071
Acronym
aTBS
Status last verified
Apr 2022
First submitted
6 Jul 2018
Last updated
18 May 2022
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • George MS, Lisanby SH, Avery D, McDonald WM, Durkalski V, Pavlicova M, Anderson B, Nahas Z, Bulow P, Zarkowski P, Holtzheimer PE 3rd, Schwartz T, Sackeim HA. Daily left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for major depressive disorder: a sham-controlled randomized trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 May;67(5):507-16. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.46.

    PubMed 20439832
  • George MS, Wassermann EM, Williams WA, Callahan A, Ketter TA, Basser P, Hallett M, Post RM. Daily repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves mood in depression. Neuroreport. 1995 Oct 2;6(14):1853-6. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199510020-00008.

    PubMed 8547583
  • Pascual-Leone A, Rubio B, Pallardo F, Catala MD. Rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in drug-resistant depression. Lancet. 1996 Jul 27;348(9022):233-7. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)01219-6.

    PubMed 8684201

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation and Anterior Cingulate Cortex Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation in people with Depression and Suicide, run by Stanford University at 1 site in United States.

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 6 inclusion and 17 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 18 May 2022. 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 United States. 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. 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?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 10 Aug 2021). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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?

Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score (time frame: After all stimulation sessions have been completed (approximately 48 hours after the final session)). 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 NCT03601117, which also lists 3 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 18 May 2022.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in