NCT07264452

Brief Summary

In recent years, research on the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (RTD) has been steadily increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of accelerated unilateral application of two different forms of theta burst stimulation (TBU), a variation of repetitive TMU (rTMS)-intermittent TBU (iTBU) and continuous TBU (cTBU)-in TDD patients. The study aimed to compare the advantages of iTBU and cTBU protocols on depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety levels, sleep disturbances, cognitive performance, and overall functioning following a two-week intensive treatment period and a 12-week follow-up period.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
8mo left

Started Nov 2025

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

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress41%
Nov 2025Jan 2027

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 15, 2025

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 21, 2025

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 4, 2025

Completed
12 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 15, 2026

Expected
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 15, 2027

Last Updated

December 4, 2025

Status Verified

December 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

November 21, 2025

Last Update Submit

December 2, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)Transcranial Magnetic StimulationAccelerated protocolintermittent theta burst stimulationContinuous theta burst stimulationUnilateral rTMSunipolar major depressive disordernon-invasive brain stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Depression severity

    The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The minimum and maximum scores are 0-60. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

    pretreatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • Depression severity

    The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17. The minimum and maximum scores are 0-51. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

    pretreatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Anxiety severity

    pretreatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • Suicidal ideation score of The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17

    pretreatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • Suicidal ideation score of The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale

    pretreatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • Insomnia Severity

    pretreatment, 4 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • Insomnia Severity

    pretreatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Itbs

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

iTBS with eight digit coils to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with figure-eight coil

ctbs

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

cTBS with a figure-of-eight coil to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with figure-eight coil

Interventions

A total of 50 sessions will be administered to at least 30 patients, five sessions per day, five days a week for two weeks. There will be at least a 30-minute rest period between each session. One session for Group A involves a 5 Hz frequency intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol applied to the left DLPFC at 90-110% motor threshold.

Also known as: A group
Itbs

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • to 65 years old
  • Patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM 5 and the severity of their illness
  • Scoring 7 points or more on the Maudsley staging method
  • Having depression unresponsive to 2 different antidepressants
  • No clinical mental retardation
  • Agree to participate in the study
  • Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 \[HDRS\] score of 20 or higher
  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale \[MADRS\] score of 20 or above
  • Being right hand dominant
  • Having used the same antidepressant at the same dose for the last 4 weeks

You may not qualify if:

  • Diagnosed with a neurological or metabolic disease that affects cognitive functions (Systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, polyneuropathy, inflammatory rheumatologic disease and malignancies)
  • Having a foreign body such as a pacemaker, intracranial implant that can magnetically interact
  • Hearing and visual impairments that prevent communication
  • Unstable or acute medical conditions
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Having a primary psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder
  • Being diagnosed with severe MDD with psychotic features

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Ataturk University

Erzurum, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive DisorderMood DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field TherapyTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • Omer Faruk UYGUR, Associate professor doctor

    Ataturk University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mahmut Balamur, research assistant doctor

CONTACT

Omer Faruk UYGUR, Associate professor doctor

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
associate professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 21, 2025

First Posted

December 4, 2025

Study Start

November 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 15, 2027

Last Updated

December 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations