Actively Recruiting
Brain-Oscillation Synchronized Stimulation of the DMPFC: A Single-Blind Study for Personalized Neuromodulation in OCD
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2025-04-24
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to compare two types of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatments. They aim to see how personalized, EEG-triggered rTMS affects OCD symptoms and brain activity compared to non-personalized, standard rTMS. This study follows a prospective, randomized, single-blind design at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and focuses on clinical effects and changes in brain signals related to OCD. Participants receive treatment five days a week for six weeks, totaling 30 sessions. Both groups get rTMS targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex with the same coil, intensity, and pulse number. The personalized group receives EEG-triggered rTMS pulses synchronized to brain waves, while the other group gets standard non-EEG triggered rTMS at high frequency. Each session lasts about 17 minutes. Throughout the study, researchers measure OCD symptoms using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory - Revised (OCI-R), and the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) scale. They also track changes in EEG brain wave patterns. Assessments occur from screening through one week after treatment ends. Participants' safety and adherence are monitored during this time, with the total involvement lasting about seven weeks.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Brain-Oscillation Synchronized Stimulation of the DMPFC
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Are 18-65 years old
- Have OCD as a primary disorder confirmed by a MINI diagnosis
- Treatment resistant defined as failure of at least one course of cognitive-behavioural therapy or one SSRI trial
- Do not meet criteria for substance use disorder except nicotine and caffeine
- Have a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score above 20
- Are fluent in English (spoken, written, reading)
- Have had no increase or start of psychotropic medication in the 4 weeks before screening
- Have capacity to provide informed consent
- Willing to sign informed consent form
- Willing to comply with all study procedures
You will not qualify if you...
- Have any contraindications to TMS as determined by the TASS questionnaire
- Have a history of medical or neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's)
- Are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a history of seizures
- Have metal implants or dentures
- Have serious or unstable medical conditions needing immediate treatment
- Have cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants, implanted electronic devices, or other contraindications for rTMS
- Take more than 2mg of lorazepam or equivalent benzodiazepine, or any anticonvulsant medication
- Meet criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants receive personalized or non-personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sessions targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.
5 visits per week for a total of 30 sessions
Duration - 1 week
Participants are monitored for clinical and neurophysiological outcomes after completing treatment.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H1
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Brigitte Zrenner, MD
N
Nina E. Bahl, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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