NCT05389670

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to examine the effects of theta-burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on inhibitory control and smoking among adult cigarette smokers. In a double-blind, sham controlled trial, investigators will examine the effects of 12 sessions of cTBS on executive function and smoking behavior.

Trial Health

35
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2025

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 25, 2021

Completed
7 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 25, 2022

Completed
3.1 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2025

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 1, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

August 14, 2024

Status Verified

November 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

7 months

First QC Date

October 25, 2021

Last Update Submit

August 13, 2024

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Change in the number (#) of cigarettes per day.

    The effects of 12 sessions of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the right inferior frontal gyrus (r.IFG) on cigarettes per day (CPD). This is measured by a core daily cigarette diary and will be measured following treatment and after making a quit attempt at: days 14, 21 and 28.

    2 months

  • Cigarette craving scores (#) as measured by the questionnaire of smoking urges brief (QSUb).

    The effects of 12 sessions of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the right inferior frontal gyrus (r.IFG) on cigarette craving. This will be measured at the end of every visit to the laboratory. The Questionnaire of Smoking Urges brief (QSUb) rages from 0 to 70. Lower scores equal less craving, meaning the lower the score, the better the outcome.

    2 months

  • Percent (%) correct on an inhibitory control GoGo/NoGo task.

    The effects of 12 sessions of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the right inferior frontal gyrus (r.IFG) on inhibitory control (IC) task performance. This will be measured at : baseline; after completing 12 sessions of cTBS treatment, 3-7 days following making a quit attempt and at days 14, 21 and 28 following quit attempt.

    2 months

  • Craving regulation scores (#) on a regulation of craving task.

    The effects of 12 sessions of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the right inferior frontal gyrus (r.IFG) on regulation of craving (ROC) task performance. This will be measured at : baseline; after completing 12 sessions of cTBS treatment, 3-7 days following making a quit attempt and at days 14, 21 and 28 following quit attempt.

    2 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Symptoms scores (#) as measured by the review of symptoms (ROS) questionnaire.

    2 months

Study Arms (2)

Continuous Theta-burst stimulation (cTBS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), affects brain areas stimulated directly underneath the scalp and brain areas that are functionally connected. Continuous TBS (cTBS) which is thought to temporarily dampen brain activity in that specific area.

Device: Continuous Theta-burst stimulation (cTBS)

Sham Theta-burst stimulation

SHAM COMPARATOR
Device: Sham Continuous Theta-burst stimulation (cTBS)

Interventions

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), affects brain areas stimulated directly underneath the scalp and brain areas that are functionally connected. Continuous TBS (cTBS) which is thought to temporarily dampen brain activity in that specific area.

Continuous Theta-burst stimulation (cTBS)

Sham cTBS, inhibitory-like patterned form of TMS.

Sham Theta-burst stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • yrs. of age
  • Smoke \> 5 cigarettes/day for ≥ 2 yrs, and expired carbon monoxide (CO) concentration of ≥ 8 ppm
  • English Fluency
  • Functional Vision (with corrective lenses as needed)

You may not qualify if:

  • Use of psychotropic and antiepileptic medications in the last month
  • Presence of an untreated illness or serious medical condition
  • History of major neurological illness
  • Contraindication to TMS (history of neurological disorder or seizure, increased intracranial pressure, brain surgery, or head trauma with loss of consciousness for \>15 min., implanted electronic device, metal in the head)
  • Any use of substances that lower seizure threshold
  • Current or past psychosis
  • Electroconvulsive therapy in last 6 months
  • Unstable cardiac disease or hypertension, severe renal or liver insufficiency, or sleep apnea
  • BAC greater than 0.0.
  • Positive urine pregnancy test
  • Any other concern that in the investigator's opinion would impact participant safety, study instruction compliance, or confound the interpretation of the study results

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tobacco Use Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Substance-Related DisordersChemically-Induced DisordersMental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Madhura Athreya, MS

CONTACT

Brett Froeliger, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 25, 2021

First Posted

May 25, 2022

Study Start

July 1, 2025

Primary Completion

January 31, 2026

Study Completion

April 1, 2026

Last Updated

August 14, 2024

Record last verified: 2023-11