Actively Recruiting
Accelerated vs. Conventional Theta Burst Stimulation for Late-life Depression
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2026-01-28
280
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
244 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Lead Sponsor
S
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this trial is to compare the treatment efficacy (improvement in depressive symptoms) of accelerated TBS protocol (where participants receive multiple TBS treatments daily) to conventional TBS protocol (where participants receive a single TBS treatment daily) in late life depression. In addition, the study also aims to determine if specific patterns of stimulation are more or less effective. To do this, all participants will receive active treatments, but some of the participants in this study will receive accelerated TBS and some will receive once daily TBS.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Accelerated vs. Conventional Theta Burst Stimulation for Late-life Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Voluntary and competent to consent to treatment
- Outpatient status
- Age 60 years or older
- Diagnosis of major depressive disorder with current major depressive episode confirmed by MINI 7.0
- Failed to respond adequately to antidepressants or unable to tolerate two trials of antidepressants
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of 10 or higher
- No increase or start of antidepressant or antipsychotic medication within 4 weeks before screening
- Able to follow the treatment schedule
- Passed the TMS adult safety screening (TASS) questionnaire
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of substance dependence or abuse within the last 3 months confirmed by MINI 7.0
- Major unstable medical illness
- Active suicidal intent
- Presumed or probable dementia or Short Blessed Test score of 10 or higher
- Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder or primary psychotic disorder
- Current psychotic symptoms
- Primary diagnosis of OCD, PTSD (current or within last year), anxiety disorders, or dysthymia causing more impairment than MDD
- Primary diagnosis of any personality disorder causing more impairment than MDD
- Nonresponse to electroconvulsive therapy in current depressive episode
- Received rTMS in the current depressive episode
- History of primary seizure disorder or seizure related to intracranial lesion
- Presence of intracranial implants or metal objects near the head that cannot be removed safely
- Implanted electronic devices like defibrillators
- Significant sensory impairments preventing cooperation
- Clinically significant lab abnormalities
- Use of lorazepam over 2 mg daily or any anticonvulsant
- Psychotherapy must be stable for at least 3 months prior with no anticipated changes
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N 3M5
Actively Recruiting
2
Centre for Addiction and Mental Healh
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H1
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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