Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for PTSD

NCT ID: NCT02981381

Last Updated: 2025-06-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 23 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-10-13
• Study Completion Date: 2018-10-26

Brief Summary

The investigators propose a small, two-site, sham-controlled pilot study of synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) in patients with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. It is hypothesized that sTMS will be effective for PTSD and mood symptoms.

Detailed Description

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder associated with high degrees of comorbidity (e.g., major depressive disorder), poor quality of life, and significant social and occupational dysfunction. Currently available evidence-based pharmacological and psychological treatments for PTSD have only modest efficacy, and thus further research is necessary to develop treatment approaches in order to ameliorate the current disparity between disorder impact and prevalence, and effective therapies.

The use of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), in an outpatient setting, has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms in various mental disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD). Research examining the use of rTMS for PTSD still remain limited, the majority of findings pertain to rTMS in MDD cohorts, which excluded individuals with PTSD. Given the high rate of PTSD with MDD comorbidity, additional studies examining this comorbid population are necessary.

Furthermore, rTMS treatment parameters and duration are rather time consuming for patients, requiring that patient travel to an outpatient facility daily, for 6 to 8 weeks, for 30 to 40 minutes each day. This can be an inconvenience and poses an additional burden for individuals that already struggle with societal integration and social/occupational dysfunction. Thus, further exploration and development of non-invasive brain stimulatory devices with the same (or better) effectiveness as rTMS, that can be adapted to be utilized in an at home setting, would revolutionize the treatment of PTSD.

The synchronized transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS, NeoSync Inc.) device provides the possibility of the fore mentioned therapeutic development. The sTMS device employs 3 transversely rotating, to deliver low energy, sinusoidal magnetic fields synchronized to an individuals' intrinsic alpha frequency (IAF). Preliminary data has shown that sTMS can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in MDD. Additionally, the investigators' preliminary examination of IAF in participants with comorbid PTSD and depressive symptoms, has illuminated the feasibility of this modality as a treatment approach for PTSD comorbid with MDD.

This study is a prospective, sham-controlled, trial of sTMS delivered to patients who are symptomatic despite ongoing pharmacotherapy for PTSD and mood symptoms. Eligible subjects will be randomized using to receive 4 weeks (5 daily sessions per week) of either sham or active sTMS treatment. Clinical and self-report assessments will be completed at baseline, sham/control series endpoint, and 1 month after the final treatment session. An optional open-label continuation phase will be offered to all study participants who complete the sham-control phase of this study, and additional endpoint assessments will be administered.

Conditions

PTSD; Depression

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Active sTMS (NEST-1)

Subjects randomized to this group will receive 20 active synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) treatments (30 minutes each) over a period of 40 calendar days. Treatment windows will be 10 calendar days to complete 5 active sTMS sessions. Serial assessments will be completed every 5 sessions. Post-treatment (PT1) endpoint assessments will take place on the last day of active sTMS.

Participants that elect to participate in the open-label continuation phase, will receive an additional 20 sTMS treatments (using the NEST-2 device), following the same administration structure as the sham-control series.

Participants will return to complete post-treatment follow-up assessments (PT2) 1 month after their last treatment session (either PT1 or OL PT1).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

NEST-1

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) is an electromechanical medical device that produces and delivers a sinusoidal magnetic field to areas of the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The device includes an EEG recording module that is used to record individualized alpha frequency (IAF) on randomized personal passport modules (PPM) pre-assigned to be NEST-1 compatible.

NEST-2

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The open-label NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) that produces and delivers a sinusoidal magnetic field to areas of the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The device is distinct in both color and sound both SHAM and NEST-1 devices. PPMs corresponding with both SHAM and NEST-1 devices are compatible with the NEST-2 device.

Sham sTMS (SHAM)

Subjects randomized to this group will receive 20 sham synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) treatments (30 minutes each) over a period of 40 calendar days. Treatment windows will be 10 calendar days to complete 5 sham sessions. Serial assessments will be completed every 5 sessions. Post-treatment (PT1) endpoint assessments will take place immediately after the final sham session.

Participants that elect to participate in the open-label continuation phase, will receive 20 sTMS treatments (using the NEST-2 device), following the same administration structure as the sham-control series.

Participants will return to complete post-treatment follow-up assessments (PT2) 1 month after their last treatment session (either PT1 or OL PT1).

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

SHAM

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The SHAM NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) is a device, identical to the active NEST-1 device, that is configured to simulate the delivery of active treatment without actively delivering sTMS therapy. The device includes an EEG recording module that is used to record individualized alpha frequency (IAF) on randomized personal passport modules (PPM) pre-assigned to be SHAM compatible.

NEST-2

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The open-label NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) that produces and delivers a sinusoidal magnetic field to areas of the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The device is distinct in both color and sound both SHAM and NEST-1 devices. PPMs corresponding with both SHAM and NEST-1 devices are compatible with the NEST-2 device.

Interventions

NEST-1

The NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) is an electromechanical medical device that produces and delivers a sinusoidal magnetic field to areas of the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The device includes an EEG recording module that is used to record individualized alpha frequency (IAF) on randomized personal passport modules (PPM) pre-assigned to be NEST-1 compatible.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

SHAM

The SHAM NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) is a device, identical to the active NEST-1 device, that is configured to simulate the delivery of active treatment without actively delivering sTMS therapy. The device includes an EEG recording module that is used to record individualized alpha frequency (IAF) on randomized personal passport modules (PPM) pre-assigned to be SHAM compatible.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

NEST-2

The open-label NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS (NEST) that produces and delivers a sinusoidal magnetic field to areas of the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The device is distinct in both color and sound both SHAM and NEST-1 devices. PPMs corresponding with both SHAM and NEST-1 devices are compatible with the NEST-2 device.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

Active sTMS; NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS; NEST-1 Sham Comparator; Open-label sTMS; NeoSync EEG Synchronized TMS

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Must be a Veteran;
• MRI safe;
• Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM 5) criterion for PTSD (acute or chronic, confirmed by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and at least moderate severity defined by a PCL-5 score > 33); AND at least moderate depressive symptom severity (defined by QIDS-SR score > or equal to 11) at baseline visit. Individuals with bipolar II or otherwise unspecified who are currently in a depressed episode are eligible;
• Baseline score of "moderately ill" or worse on the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S);
• Stable psychotropic regimen for at least 6 weeks prior to baseline and willing to maintain current dose and regimen throughout study, or no psychotropic medication at all;
• If female and of child bearing potential, must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control for the duration of the study treatment period;
• Be willing and able to comply with all study related procedures and visits;
• Be capable of independently reading and understanding all patient information materials and giving written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant or lactating, or planning on becoming pregnant within the next 3 months;
• Lifetime history of loss of consciousness (>10 minutes) due to head injury, or lifetime history of head injury with documented evidence of brain injury;
• Current (or past) significant neurological disorders (seizure disorder, primary or secondary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, stroke, cerebral aneurysm);
• Unstable medical illness, or significant absence of appropriate medical care;
• Current axis I primary psychotic disorder or Bipolar I disorder;
• Active (within the last month) moderate or severe substance (excluding nicotine/caffeine) abuse disorders. Individuals on stable (>3 months), monitored opiate agonist therapy may be included at investigator's discretion;
• Past failed treatment with rTMS or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); any past treatment with deep brain stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation;
• Have an active suicidal intent or plan, or in the opinion of the investigator, is likely to attempt suicide in the next 6 months;
• Presence of condition or circumstance with potential to prevent study completion;
• Inability to obtain sufficient EEG to calibrate study device.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Wave Neuroscience

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Providence VA Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Noah S. Philip, MD

Psychiatrist

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Noah S Philip, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Study Principal Investigator

Locations

Providence VAMC

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

White River Junction VAMC

White River Junction, Vermont, United States

Countries

United States

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

1010584-1

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

2016-004

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id