Actively Recruiting
A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Approach to Treat Misophonia
Led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · Updated on 2026-06-08
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the use of parietal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help people with misophonia, a condition where certain sounds cause strong irritation, anger, or fear. The study involves 60 participants who will undergo two TMS sessions, one inhibitory and one excitatory, to assess if this brain stimulation can improve tolerance to misophonia triggers. The study is sponsored by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and focuses on measuring changes in unpleasantness and physiological responses to sounds. Participants will receive two sessions of TMS targeting the parietal brain region, separated by 72 hours. One group will have an inhibitory TMS session first followed by an excitatory session, while the other group will have the opposite order. Each session lasts about 25 minutes, during which computerized tasks are performed immediately before and after stimulation to evaluate effects. During the study visits, researchers will record brain activity using EEG, and monitor heart rate and skin temperature to study physiological changes related to misophonia. The main outcome is the rating of unpleasantness after each session. Additional measurements include heart rate, skin conductance, and various EEG signals. Each session takes about 2 hours, and the entire study spans the two sessions with a 72-hour gap. Safety and participant responses will be closely monitored throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Misophonia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Hypersensitive to presence of a specific sound, which may be accompanied by irritation, anger/outbursts, or fear.
- Must be between the ages of 18 - 55.
- Must be fluent in English since the study's instructions, surveys, and tasks will be in English.
You will not qualify if you...
- Epilepsy or previous episode of convulsion or seizure.
- Previous episode of fainting spell or syncope.
- Head trauma.
- Hearing problems.
- Cochlear implant.
- Metal in the brain, skull, or anywhere else in the body (e.g., splinters, fragments, clips, etc.).
- Implanted neurostimulator (e.g., DBS, epidural/subdural, VNS).
- Presence of cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines.
- Presence of medication infusion device.
- Use of pro-convulsant or epileptogenic medications.
- Pregnancy. The risks associated with TMS exposure during gestation have not been studied extensively. We wish to safeguard the health of potential participants and their children.
- Lactation. The risks associated with TMS during lactation and its effects on infant development have not been studied. We wish to safeguard the health of potential participants and their children.
- Presence of Mania, Psychosis, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Suicidal Ideation.
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.
Duration - Approximately 1 week
Participants receive two sessions of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), each lasting about 2 hours, with sessions 72 hours apart. The sessions involve different stimulation protocols depending on group assignment.
2 sessions, each 2 hours long, spaced 72 hours apart
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Mount Sinai West
New York, New York, United States, 10022
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Shama Patel
P
Parul Jain, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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