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
155 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Amblyopia, with a prevalence rates of 3% in adult population, is a common cause of vision impairment. It is characterized by impaired vision in one or both eyes because of disruption of normal visual stimuli and underdevelopment of the visual cortex, leads to lifelong visual deficits affecting both monocular and binocular visual function. Common causes of amblyopia include refraction error, anisometropia, strabismus and visual deprivation arising from ptosis or congenital cataract. Our previous studies had shed light on the relationship between abnormal early visual experience, and development of later amblyopia and possible neural developmental disorders. Functional recovery is difficult when neuroplasticity slows down at the end of the critical period. To date, there is no established effective treatment for adult amblyopia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the non-invasive stimulations had been used widely as a research tool to understand the brain functions and an established treatment modality in neuropsychiatric diseases. Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is a newer form of rTMS protocol which have a major advantage over traditional rTMS in their reduced administration duration and allowing stimulation at significantly lower intensities to attain comparable effects. TBS had been demonstrated to able to improve functions in participants with visual disorders. However, studies of its use on adult amblyopia are scarce. Due to lack of efficient treatment at present, it is of scientific significance to conduct placebo-controlled experiments on this topic. Investigators will evaluate the effect of three regimens of TBS (intermittent, continuous and sham), after one session and accumulative sessions, on visual functions of amblyopia adults shortly after treatment and 2 weeks later (lasting effect), in order to evaluate its potential role in amblyopia and find out the best paradigm for amblyopia treatment.
CONDITIONS
Official 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 2 lines difference in best corrected visual acuity between the two eyes
- Recorded amblyogenic factor and history of amblyopia treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- Unstable vital signs
- History of brain injury or head trauma
- Neurological or psychiatric diseases
- Seizures or family history of seizures
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled migraine or presence of metallic implants or shunts in head or torso
- Wide region of ischemic cicatrix, multiple sclerosis, or use of tricyclic antidepressants
- Use of analgesics or any drugs that may lower seizure threshold
- Sleep disorders during rTMS treatment
- Severe alcoholism or use of 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
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei County, Taiwan, 100225
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tzu-Hsun Tsai, PhD
CONTACT
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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