NCT05427201

Brief Summary

Veterans with comorbid chronic pain and depression are highly prevalent, have poor functional status and low quality of life, are at increased risk of suicide and lack access to effective treatments. To address this problem, the proposed research will examine the feasibility of a novel approach that integrates repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with the overall goal of maximizing functional improvement in Veterans with chronic pain and depression. This is an important first-step in preparation for a future randomized efficacy trial. The investigators will also include two cognitive control tasks with concurrent electroencephalography to explore as a potential objective indicator of treatment response. This application addresses a critical need within the Veterans Health Administration and is closely aligned with the focus area of developing suicide prevention treatments that influence participation in life roles.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
31

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable chronic-pain

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2023

Typical duration for not_applicable chronic-pain

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

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

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 15, 2022

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 22, 2022

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 22, 2023

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 30, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 30, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

June 8, 2025

Status Verified

June 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

June 15, 2022

Last Update Submit

June 6, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Chronic painDepressionRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationAcceptance and commitment therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • PROMIS Pain Interference change

    The PROMIS Pain Interference questionnaire consists of 8-items that assess the degree to which pain interferes with various aspects of life, including mobility, social activity, and mood. Items are scored on a 1 ("Not at all") to 5 ("Very much") scale with a range of 8 - 40. Higher scores indicate greater pain interference.

    Baseline, weekly during ACT intervention, 9 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) change

    Baseline, weekly during ACT intervention, 9 weeks

  • PROMIS Pain Intensity change

    Baseline, weekly during ACT intervention, 9 weeks

Study Arms (2)

DLPFC-rTMS + ACT

EXPERIMENTAL

Active DLPFC-rTMS with ACT treatment

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic StimulationBehavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Sham-rTMS + ACT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Sham delivered rTMS with ACT treatment

Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Interventions

rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique designed to alter network function

Also known as: rTMS
DLPFC-rTMS + ACT

ACT is a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral intervention that has demonstrated efficacy for chronic pain.

Also known as: ACT
DLPFC-rTMS + ACTSham-rTMS + ACT

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Diagnosis of a chronic, non-terminal pain condition (pain most days for at least 6 months)
  • Average pain intensity and interference with enjoyment of life and/or general activity rated \> 4/10 over the past week, as measured by the PEG
  • Meet clinical criteria for major depression via DSM5 criteria, as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)

You may not qualify if:

  • Serious or unstable medical illness (e.g., cardiovascular disease)
  • Lifetime history of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Active substance abuse or psychosocial instability (e.g., homelessness) that could compromise study participation
  • Changes to professionally delivered pain or mood treatment (e.g., no discontinuation of a treatment; no increasing the dose of medication) one month preceding the baseline assessment
  • Significant neurologic disorder, increased risk of seizure for any reason or family/personal history of seizure
  • Contraindications to rTMS treatment as outlined by the Safety of TMS Consensus group, which includes implanted metallic objects above the neck, implanted electrical devices (pacemakers/spinal cord stimulators), and pregnancy
  • Prior trial of rTMS for any condition and/or lack of responsiveness to electroconvulsive therapy

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

San Diego, California, 92161-0002, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic PainDepression

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic StimulationAcceptance and Commitment Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBehavioral SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field TherapyTherapeuticsCognitive Behavioral TherapyBehavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Matthew Herbert, PhD

    VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Randomized Controlled Trial
Sponsor Type
FED
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2022

First Posted

June 22, 2022

Study Start

May 22, 2023

Primary Completion

May 30, 2025

Study Completion

May 30, 2025

Last Updated

June 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

A data repository will be created upon completion of the study. Data obtained in this study that has scientific value to other qualified researchers will made available upon request. Interested researches will be able to access de-identified data through a Data Use Agreement.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
Indefinitely
Access Criteria
January, 2025

Locations