Actively Recruiting
Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Visual Functions of Adult Amblyopia: a Preliminary Study
Led by National Taiwan University Hospital · Updated on 2025-06-22
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Amblyopia is a common cause of vision impairment affecting about 3% of adults. It results from disrupted normal visual stimuli and underdevelopment of the visual cortex, leading to lasting deficits in vision. Causes include refractive errors, anisometropia, strabismus, and visual deprivation. Because functional recovery is difficult after the critical period ends, there is currently no established effective treatment for adults with amblyopia. Researchers are studying the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), specifically theta burst stimulation (TBS), as a potential treatment for adult amblyopia due to its ability to stimulate brain function non-invasively. Participants will receive one of three types of TBS: intermittent (iTBS), continuous (cTBS), or sham stimulation. During treatment, they will look at a visual stimulus on a computer screen and continue visual training for 20 minutes after the stimulation, which lasts about 1 to 3 minutes. In the iTBS group, the amblyopic eye views the stimulus, while in the cTBS group, the non-amblyopic eye does. The sham group receives a placebo stimulation with reduced intensity and coil orientation tilted. Each participant will have three sessions of stimulation within one week. Visual functions including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, and stereoacuity will be tested immediately after each TBS session, after completing the three sessions within one week, and again two weeks later to assess lasting effects. The study uses a randomized design and single masking to compare the outcomes of the different TBS regimens. The total participation period for each participant is about one month.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Visual Functions of Adult Amblyopia: a Preliminary Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult amblyopia participants aged 20 to 50 years old
- At least a two-line difference in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between the two eyes
- Presence of an amblyogenic factor and a history of amblyopia treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- Unstable vital signs
- History of brain injury or head trauma
- Neurological or psychiatric disease
- Seizures or family history of seizures
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled migraine or presence of metallic implants or shunt in the head or torso
- Wide region of ischemic cicatrix, multiple sclerosis
- Taking tricyclic antidepressants, analgesics, or drugs that lower seizure threshold
- Experienced sleep disorders during rTMS treatment
- Severe alcoholism or taking seizure medications
- Severe heart diseases or uncontrollable migraine caused by high intracranial pressure
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 - 1 week
Participants receive theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) sessions, looking at a visual stimulus while the stimulation is applied. The stimulation lasts about 1 to 3 minutes per session, followed by 20 minutes of visual training. Participants receive three TBS sessions within one week.
3 visits in one week
Duration - 2 weeks
Participants return for visual function tests to evaluate the long-term effects of the stimulation after 2 weeks.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei County, Taiwan, 100225
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tzu-Hsun Tsai, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
3
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