NCT05682677

Brief Summary

The primary goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether Personalized Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT) plus intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is effective for treating depression in Service Members, Veterans, and civilians who have sustained a mild TBI. Participants will receive PACT plus 20 sessions of iTBS or sham iTBS over 4 weeks. Assessments will occur at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Researchers will compare the PACT+iTBS group to the PACT+sham iTBS group to see if PACT+iTBS is associated with more depression improvement.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
72

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable depression

Timeline
14mo left

Started Sep 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable depression

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
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

Study Progress70%
Sep 2023Jun 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 4, 2023

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 12, 2023

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 19, 2023

Completed
3.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 30, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2027

Last Updated

May 1, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

3.8 years

First QC Date

January 4, 2023

Last Update Submit

April 27, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

brain stimulationneuromodulationtranscranial magnetic stimulationtheta burst stimulationTMSTBSrTMSiTBScognitive trainingcognitive rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression

    change over 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (16)

  • Patient Health Questionnaire-9

    change over 8 weeks

  • Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory

    change over 8 weeks

  • PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

    change over 8 weeks

  • Headache Impact Test

    change over 8 weeks

  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

    change over 8 weeks

  • +11 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

PACT+iTBS

EXPERIMENTAL

Personalized, Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT; 6 sessions over 4 weeks) + intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS; 20 sessions over 4 weeks)

Device: iTBSBehavioral: Personalized, Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT)

PACT+sham iTBS

SHAM COMPARATOR

Personalized, Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT; 6 sessions over 4 weeks) + sham intermittent theta burst stimulation (sham iTBS; 20 sessions over 4 weeks)

Device: sham iTBSBehavioral: Personalized, Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT)

Interventions

iTBSDEVICE

iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

PACT+iTBS
sham iTBSDEVICE

sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

PACT+sham iTBS

6 sessions of PACT

PACT+iTBSPACT+sham iTBS

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • Male or female
  • All racial and ethnic groups
  • Ages 18 to 65
  • Military service members receiving treatment at NMCSD or civilians receiving treatment at UCSD Health
  • History of mild TBI (as defined by the DoD/VA criteria used in conjunction with the OSU TBI-ID method) over 3 months prior to study entry
  • Meets criteria for current Major Depressive Episode within the context of Major Depressive Disorder, per MINI
  • Score of 18 or higher on the HAMD-17, indicating moderate to severe depressive symptoms
  • Stable on psychiatric medications for 6 weeks, with no changes to psychiatric medications expected during the study period
  • No contraindications to TMS (passes the TMS Adult Safety Screening questionnaire)
  • No contraindications to MRI (passes MRI safety screening questionnaire)
  • Able to commit to the treatment schedule
  • Able to complete assessment procedures in English
  • Intact decision-making capacity and ability to provide voluntary informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • History of moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI
  • History of other neurological condition unrelated to TBI, including but not limited to: conditions associated with increased intracranial pressure; space occupying brain lesions; cerebral aneurysm; stroke; transient ischemic attack within past two years; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's disease; dementia; multiple sclerosis; history of brain surgery; epilepsy; seizure except those therapeutically induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or a febrile seizure of infancy
  • Implanted medical devices including cardiac pacemaker, medication pump, aneurysm clip, shunt, stimulator, cochlear implant, electrodes, or any other metal object within or near the head (excluding the mouth) that cannot be safely removed
  • Active manic or psychotic illness per MINI
  • Current substance use disorder per MINI
  • Current active suicidal or homicidal ideation
  • Pregnant or intending to become pregnant within the study period; breastfeeding
  • Other sensory conditions or illnesses precluding participation in assessments or treatment
  • Current dose of lorazepam 2 mg or greater daily (or benzodiazepine equivalent) or any anticonvulsant due to the potential to limit iTBS efficacy
  • Taking medication that lowers seizure threshold
  • Previous failed treatment with rTMS, iTBS, or ECT
  • Completed \>4 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation within the last 3 years

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UCSD

La Jolla, California, 92093, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DepressionBrain Concussion

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehaviorBrain Injuries, TraumaticBrain InjuriesBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesCraniocerebral TraumaTrauma, Nervous SystemHead Injuries, ClosedWounds and InjuriesWounds, Nonpenetrating

Study Officials

  • Elizabeth Twamley, PhD

    UC San Diego

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Psychiatry

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 4, 2023

First Posted

January 12, 2023

Study Start

September 19, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Last Updated

May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

IPD will be available via FITBIR.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
Time Frame
Following study completion; deidentified data available indefinitely.
Access Criteria
Via FITBIR request.
More information

Locations