Penetanguishene

Researchers are evaluating a 5-day course of bilateral accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS) as a possible treatment to help adults aged 18 to 65 with Tobacco Use Disorder quit smoking. This Phase 2 clinical trial aims to assess whether this treatment is feasible, tolerable, and acceptable for participants, as well as to explore its effects on smoking outcomes such as abstinence, cravings, daily cigarette use, and dependence severity. The treatment involves using a Health Canada-approved H4 coil to deliver accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, targeting the bilateral insular cortex and prefrontal cortex. Participants will receive 20 sessions over five consecutive days, with four sessions each day. This accelerated approach differs from conventional methods by providing multiple sessions daily rather than one session per day over weeks. During the study, researchers will monitor participant retention, adherence to treatment sessions, and any side effects from the first to the fifth day of treatment each week. They will also measure smoking abstinence at the end of treatment and during follow-up weeks up to 26 weeks post-treatment. Acceptability of the treatment will be evaluated using questionnaires, and safety will be closely observed throughout the study period.