Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-concussion Headaches

NCT ID: NCT06112093

Last Updated: 2025-10-10

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-10-23

Study Completion Date

2027-10-23

Brief Summary

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This study aims to examine the long-term effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, on chronic headaches following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). rTMS has been shown to be effective in reducing chronic headaches without side effects commonly seen in medications, such as sleepiness and addiction. This study uses rTMS to manage chronic headaches to improve post-concussion symptoms and reduce the economic burden due to delayed recovery. This project aims to better identify biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis and maximize recovery from mTBI.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Brain Concussion Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Headache Post-Concussion Symptoms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Moderate-dose rTMS

12 sessions (1 session/day, 3 days/week for 4 weeks) of active rTMS

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

rTMS will be used to regulate the motor cortex to reduce headaches and post-concussion symptoms.

Sham rTMS

12 sessions (1 session/day, 3 days/week for 4 weeks) of sham rTMS will be administered at the same location and duration as the Moderate-rTMS protocol. After the study is completed, participants will be offered an opportunity to receive active rTMS.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham rTMS will be delivered by a sham coil as a comparator to the (active) rTMS. Sham rTMS will not change the brain function of the control group.

High-dose rTMS

24 sessions (4 sessions/day, 3 days/week for 2 weeks) of active rTMS

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

rTMS will be used to regulate the motor cortex to reduce headaches and post-concussion symptoms.

Low-dose rTMS

6 sessions (1 session/day, 3 days/week for 2 weeks) of active rTMS

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

rTMS will be used to regulate the motor cortex to reduce headaches and post-concussion symptoms.

Interventions

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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

rTMS will be used to regulate the motor cortex to reduce headaches and post-concussion symptoms.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Sham rTMS will be delivered by a sham coil as a comparator to the (active) rTMS. Sham rTMS will not change the brain function of the control group.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 18 - 55 years old
* mTBI with loss of consciousness for less than 30 min, initial Glasgow Coma Scale between 13 and 15, or post-traumatic amnesia for ≤ 24 hours
* diagnosis of persistent post-traumatic headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria
* headache develops within 7 days after head trauma
* headache persists for \>=3 months after head trauma despite receiving standard care
* average persistent headache intensity is \>= 3/10 of the numerical rating scale (NRS) on \>=3days/week
* no evidence of radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy on electromyography or clinical evaluation
* no evidence of other possible causes of headaches

Exclusion Criteria

* history of chronic headache diagnoses such as migraine, tension, or cluster headaches prior to the incidence of mTBI
* history of other neurologic conditions with medications affecting the central nervous system
* contraindications of receiving TMS (e.g., a history of epileptic seizure and having implants like a cardiac pacemaker or intracerebral vascular clip
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Yi-Ling Kuo, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Yi-Ling Kuo, PT, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

Locations

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SUNY Upstate Medical University

Syracuse, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Yi-Ling Kuo, PT, PhD

Role: CONTACT

3154646911

Facility Contacts

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Yi-Ling Kuo, PT, PhD

Role: primary

3154646911

References

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Other Identifiers

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1825424

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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