rTMS in the Treatment of PTSD
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) focused on measuring Post-traumatic stress disorder, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, Civilians, Neurostimulation, Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- primary diagnosis of PTSD as determined by a structured interview using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
- no change in psychotropic medications within 4 weeks before the start of rTMS
- age > 19 years and < 70 years
- competency to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- any non-fixed metal object or implant (including cochlear implants) in brain, skull, scalp, or neck within 30 cm of the magnetic rTMS coil
- implantable devices, including cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators
- other contraindications to rTMS, including history of seizures (except childhood febrile seizures) or recent and unexplained syncope, first-degree relative with a history of epilepsy, treatment with a medication known to substantially decrease the seizure threshold, or pregnancy
- psychiatric diagnoses of psychosis or psychotic disorder (including psychotic depression), bipolar type I disorder, or organic mental disorders
- substance abuse/dependence within the past 3 months
- active suicidal risk as judged by the clinician
- borderline or antisocial personality disorder
- acute medical illness, including cancer
- any significant central nervous system disorder, such as brain mass, stroke, etc.
Sites / Locations
- Vancouver General Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS
High-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS
Sham rTMS
Low-frequency active stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on 5 consecutive days every week for 2 weeks, for a total of 10 therapy sessions, with 37.5 minutes per session.
High-frequency active stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on 5 consecutive days every week for 2 weeks, for a total of 10 therapy sessions, with 37.5 minutes per session.
Sham stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on 5 consecutive days every week for 2 weeks, for a total of 10 therapy sessions, with 37.5 minutes per session.