Comparing Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation with Low Frequency Right for depression
Official title: Left vs. Right Non-Inferiority Trial
Left Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation vs. Right Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effectiveness in Depression and Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial
Interventions
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
rTMS will employ the MagPro X100/R30 stimulator equipped with the cool-B70 as we used a cool-B70 in our past non-inferiority trial. The dose will be a 120% rMT in accordance to our latest trial using iTBS. The target area to stimulate will be the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for LFR and the left DLPFC for iTBS as established in prior clinical trials. The localization of both targets will follow the well-established procedures for either R-DLPFC or L-DLPFC using a heuristic method.
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
Low Frequency Right (LFR)
Low Frequency Right (LFR)
Canadian Sites (2)
Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Centre, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eligibility Criteria
See who this study is looking for22 criteria
The trial’s own eligibility text, word for word from the registry. Only the trial site can say who takes part.
Inclusion
- +are female or male;
- +are outpatients;
- +are voluntary and competent to consentInformed consentThe process of being told what taking part involves, then choosing freely.Read more → to treatment;
- +have a DSM 5 diagnosis of MDD,55 single or recurrent confirmed by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 7.0;
- +are 18yo to 65yo;
- +have failed to achieve a clinical response to an adequate dose of an antidepressant based on an Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF) score of \> 3 in the current episode OR have been unable to tolerate at least two separate trials of antidepressants at less than the minimum adequate dose and/or duration (ATHF 1 or 2);
- +have a score ≥ 18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17 item);
- +have had no increase or initiation of any psychotropic medication in the 4 weeks prior to screeningScreeningThe checks done before joining, to see whether a study fits.Read more →;
- +are able to adhere to the treatment schedule;
- +pass the TMS and MRI adult safety screening questionnaires.
Exclusion
- −have a history of substance use within the last 3 months;
- −have a concomitant major unstable medical illness;
- −have active suicidal intent;
- −have a lifetime (MINI) diagnosis of any psychotic or bipolar disorder;
- −have a MINI anxiety disorder or personality disorder assessed by a study investigatorPrincipal investigatorThe doctor or researcher responsible for running the study at a site.Read more → to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD;
- −have failed a course of ECT in the current episode;
- −have any significant neurological disorder, any history of seizure (except those therapeutically induced by ECT), significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for \> 5 min;
- −have any intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed;
- −are participating in psychotherapy, must have been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to study entry, with no anticipated change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions, or focus of therapeutic sessions over the duration of the study;
- −have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality, in the opinion of the one of the principal investigators;
- −have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with interview);
- −are pregnant;
In plain language
Assembled directly from this trial’s registry record. Every sentence traces to a field below — nothing here is generated or interpreted.
What this study is
This study is testing a treatment for a condition.
This study is not organised into the usual phase numbers — that is common for device, behavioural, and diagnostic research.
What is being given or done in this study: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), Low Frequency Right (LFR).
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.designInfo.primaryPurpose
- designModule.phases
- armsInterventionsModule.interventions[].name
How the study is run
Which group you would be placed in is decided by chance, like a coin flip — not by you and not by your doctor.
Neither you nor the study team would know which group you are in until the study ends.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.designInfo.allocation
- designModule.designInfo.maskingInfo.masking
Is there a placebo?
This study does not list a placeboPlaceboA dummy treatment with no active medicine, used for comparison.Read more → group.
One group receives an existing treatment, so the two can be compared.
There are 2 groups in this study.
From the trial registry
Built from this field:
- armsInterventionsModule.armGroups[].type
Who the study is looking for
The study lists an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
The study is open to people of any sex.
The study does not accept healthy volunteersHealthy volunteerSomeone without the condition being studied who takes part anyway.Read more →.
These are the criteria the study lists. Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can decide whether someone can take part.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.sex
- eligibilityModule.healthyVolunteers
How big and how long
The study aims to enrol about 480 people.
The study is currently expected to finish around July 2027.
The main measurement is taken over: 30 days.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.enrollmentInfo.count
- statusModule.completionDateStruct.date
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
What the study measures
Depression severity — measured over 30 days.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].measure
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
Source: NCT04999553 on ClinicalTrials.gov. The full registry text is further down this page — this summary never replaces it.
Not medical advice. What do these terms mean?
What is being tested — in plain terms
About Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDevice
rTMS will employ the MagPro X100/R30 stimulator equipped with the cool-B70 as we used a cool-B70 in our past non-inferiority trial. The dose will be a 120% rMT in accordance to our latest trial using iTBS. The target area to stimulate will be the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for LFR and the left DLPFC for iTBS as established in prior clinical trials. The localization of both targets will follow the well-established procedures for either R-DLPFC or L-DLPFC using a heuristic method.
From the trial registry — its own words, unedited.
What a device is here: A physical instrument, implant, app or piece of equipment being studied.
Read the full explanation → · in clinical review
About Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)Device
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
From the trial registry — its own words, unedited.
What a device is here: A physical instrument, implant, app or piece of equipment being studied.
Read the full explanation → · in clinical review
About Low Frequency Right (LFR)Device
Low Frequency Right (LFR)
From the trial registry — its own words, unedited.
What a device is here: A physical instrument, implant, app or piece of equipment being studied.
Read the full explanation → · in clinical review
Common questions
Answered from this trial’s registry record. Where the record doesn’t say, these answers say so rather than filling the gap.
Am I eligible for this trial?
Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can decide whether someone can take part. Concord cannot make that determination, and neither can any tool that has not examined you.
What the study lists: an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
The full inclusionInclusion criteriaThe things you must have or be for a study to consider you.Read more → and exclusion criteriaExclusion criteriaThe things that would prevent someone from taking part.Read more → are published on this page, exactly as the study team wrote them.
The useful next step is to bring this trial to your doctor. Answering a few questions first gives them something concrete to review.
From the trial registry
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.eligibilityCriteria
Is there a placebo?
This study does not list a placeboPlaceboA dummy treatment with no active medicine, used for comparison.Read more → group.
One group receives an existing treatment so the two can be compared.
From the trial registry
- armsInterventionsModule.armGroups[].type
Would I know which treatment I am getting?
Neither you nor the study team would know which group you are in until the study ends.
Which group you would be placed in is decided by chance, like a coin flip — not by you and not by your doctor.
From the trial registry
- designModule.designInfo.maskingInfo.masking
- designModule.designInfo.allocation
Who can join?
The study lists an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
It is open to people of any sex.
It does not accept healthy volunteersHealthy volunteerSomeone without the condition being studied who takes part anyway.Read more →.
Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can confirm whether a particular person can take part.
From the trial registry
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.sex
- eligibilityModule.healthyVolunteers
How long would this take?
The study's main measurement is taken over: 30 days.
The study as a whole is currently expected to finish around 2027-07-01.
How long any one person takes part can differ from the study length. The study team can tell you what the schedule looks like in practice.
From the trial registry
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
- statusModule.completionDateStruct.date
How many people are taking part?
The study aims to enrol about 480 people.
From the trial registry
- designModule.enrollmentInfo.count
Where is this happening?
This study lists 2 locations, including: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sites can open and close during a study, so confirm with the team before travelling.
From the trial registry
- trial_locations
About This Trial
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that low-frequency rTMS (LFR) works as well as the established intermittent thetaburst rTMS (iTBS) treatment for treatment resistant depression (TRD).
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See if this trial could fit youThis page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial eligibility can only be determined by the trial site after proper screening. Trial information is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the most current status. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation.