Obesity and OverweightNCT06945731
The Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Patients
A study testing TMS in people with Obesity and Overweight and Food Cravings, run by Larissa University Hospital at 1 site in Greece.
Trial summary
This doctoral dissertation takes into account epidemiological and clinical data of the international literature about obesity and, generally, increased body weight (BMI≥ 25kg/m2) and their consequences on health. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Obesity and Overweight, Food Cravings
- What is being tested?
- TMS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGreece
- Study dates
- 28 Jan 2022to 1 May 2026
- 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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age over 18 years
- BMI > 25 kg/m²
- Ability to provide written consent
Who cannot join
- History of epilepsy
- Active alcohol or substance abuse
- Severe active health condition
- Cochlear implants
- Inability to provide written consent
- BMI < 25 kg/m²
- Age under 18 years
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This doctoral dissertation takes into account epidemiological and clinical data of the international literature about obesity and, generally, increased body weight (BMI≥ 25kg/m2) and their consequences on health. Obesity management challenges many specialties, while, currently, the approved therapeutic methods are dietary intervention, various drugs and, in severe cases, bariatric surgery. All of the above methods show some degree of recurrence, while surgery carries the risk of serious complications.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is classified into non-invasive brain stimulation methods and utilizes magnetic pulses generated by a coil to bring about changes in the brain. The method has already been approved for the treatment of some disorders, while it seems to help in the fight against many more psychiatric and neurological, mainly, diseases. The aim of the research will be to investigate the effectiveness of TMS in reducing body weight in participants with BMI≥ 25kg/m2.
Read more
The doctoral dissertation will study the reduction of BMI in obese and overweight patients and the variation of this reduction depending on the severity of obesity and age. In addition, it will investigate the effectiveness by setting as a parameter the observance of a diet. It will also record and statistically process the improvement of symptoms in the spectrum of some psychiatric disorders (eg depressive and psychotic symptoms, psychosomatic disorders).
The participants in the research will be hospitalized patients of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University General Hospital of Larissa (PGNL) and citizens. Clearly, patients from other clinics or other citizens can also participate in the research, provided they have a BMI≥ 25kg/m2. They will undergo 20 rTMS sessions (4 per week, for 5 weeks) and an assessment of BMI and some psychiatric symptoms before the start, at the end, 4 weeks after and 6 months after the end of the sessions. The rTMS will be applied to the left dorsal prefrontal cortex (left DLPFC), with an 8-coil in the following conditions: frequency 10 Hz, 75 4-second trains with 26-second intertrain interval, at 120% of the threshold for motor cortex activation. Participants will be divided into three groups: those who will not receive TMS, those who will receive sham TMS and those who will receive active TMS. These patients will then be compared with each other to answer the research questions. The therapeutic protocol presented is based on the international literature, while it presents positive results in the studies in which it has been applied.
Prerequisites for participation in the study are patient consent and BMI≥ 25kg/m2. In order to receive TMS, the patient first needs to agree and clarify that he / she does not have an individual or family history of seizures and that he / she does not have a cochlear implant. If the patient wishes, he can withdraw from the study at any stage. In addition to seizures, other side effects of treatment include headache and hearing loss (for which the patient will use earplugs).
The present dissertation will contribute to the further understanding of the mechanisms of obesity as well as the development of new therapies for the treatment of the disease.
- Conditions
- Obesity and Overweight, Food Cravings
- Being tested
- TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Overweight
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
TMSDevice
20 sessions 10 Hz rTMS
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ShamDevice
Sham TMS
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Device: TMS |
| Sham | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
BMI
Measured: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Food Craving
Scale: Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait Scores: 15-90 Higher score means worsening of symptoms
Measured: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Secondary outcomes (3)
Depressive Symptoms
Scale Patient Health Questionnaire 9 Scores 0-27 Higher Score means worsening of symptoms
Measured: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Anxiety symptoms
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire 7 Scores 0-21 Higher Score means worsening of symptoms
Measured: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Psychosomatic symptoms
Scale Patient Health Questionnaire 15 Scores 0-30 Higher Score means worsening of symptoms
Measured: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Apr 2025
- Study start28 Jan 2022
- Primary completion1 Jan 2026
- Study completion1 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Obesity and OverweightStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Larissa University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nikolaos Liaskopoulos, Larissa University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06945731
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 28/01/2022/3672
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 19 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06945731
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 28/01/2022/3672
- Conditions
- Obesity and Overweight, Food Cravings
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Larissa University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This doctoral dissertation takes into account epidemiological and clinical data of the international literature about obesity and, generally, increased body weight (BMI≥ 25kg/m2) and their consequences on health. Obesity management challenges many specialties, while, currently, the approved therapeutic methods are dietary intervention, various drugs and, in severe cases, bariatric surgery. All of the above methods show some degree of recurrence, while surgery carries the risk of serious complications.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is classified into non-invasive brain stimulation methods and utilizes magnetic pulses generated by a coil to bring about changes in the brain. The method has already been approved for the treatment of some disorders, while it seems to help in the fight against many more psychiatric and neurological, mainly, diseases. The aim of the research will be to investigate the effectiveness of TMS in reducing body weight in participants with BMI≥ 25kg/m2.
The doctoral dissertation will study the reduction of BMI in obese and overweight patients and the variation of this reduction depending on the severity of obesity and age. In addition, it will investigate the effectiveness by setting as a parameter the observance of a diet. It will also record and statistically process the improvement of symptoms in the spectrum of some psychiatric disorders (eg depressive and psychotic symptoms, psychosomatic disorders).
The participants in the research will be hospitalized patients of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University General Hospital of Larissa (PGNL) and citizens. Clearly, patients from other clinics or other citizens can also participate in the research, provided they have a BMI≥ 25kg/m2. They will undergo 20 rTMS sessions (4 per week, for 5 weeks) and an assessment of BMI and some psychiatric symptoms before the start, at the end, 4 weeks after and 6 months after the end of the sessions. The rTMS will be applied to the left dorsal prefrontal cortex (left DLPFC), with an 8-coil in the following conditions: frequency 10 Hz, 75 4-second trains with 26-second intertrain interval, at 120% of the threshold for motor cortex activation. Participants will be divided into three groups: those who will not receive TMS, those who will receive sham TMS and those who will receive active TMS. These patients will then be compared with each other to answer the research questions. The therapeutic protocol presented is based on the international literature, while it presents positive results in the studies in which it has been applied.
Prerequisites for participation in the study are patient consent and BMI≥ 25kg/m2. In order to receive TMS, the patient first needs to agree and clarify that he / she does not have an individual or family history of seizures and that he / she does not have a cochlear implant. If the patient wishes, he can withdraw from the study at any stage. In addition to seizures, other side effects of treatment include headache and hearing loss (for which the patient will use earplugs).
The present dissertation will contribute to the further understanding of the mechanisms of obesity as well as the development of new therapies for the treatment of the disease.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Active comparator | Device: TMS |
| Sham | Sham comparator | Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Age over 18 years
- BMI > 25 kg/m²
- Ability to provide written consent
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of epilepsy
- Active alcohol or substance abuse
- Severe active health condition
- Cochlear implants
- Inability to provide written consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| TMS20 sessions 10 Hz rTMS | Device | Active |
| Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ShamSham TMS | Device | Sham |
Primary outcome
BMI
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Food Craving
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Scale: Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait Scores: 15-90 Higher score means worsening of symptoms
3 secondary outcomes
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Anxiety symptoms
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Psychosomatic symptoms
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing TMS in people with Obesity and Overweight and Food Cravings, run by Larissa University Hospital at 1 site in Greece.
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 3 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 19 May 2026. 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 Greece. 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?
BMI (time frame: From enrollment to the end of the treatment at 5 weeks, follow up of 1 month and 6 months). 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?
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 19 May 2026.