The Effect of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

The aim of this trial is to investigate the efficacy of left DLPFC iTBS in a population of alcohol use disorder patients, compared with the sham iTBS. Moreover, this trial will conduct follow-up assessments to evaluate whether its efficacy can sustain for a long time if it is effective.

Alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder are important major health issues in our modern society. However, the treatment of alcohol addiction is currently limited to the treatment of acute withdrawal symptoms, but lacks effective interventions to reduce craving and prevent relapse. In an attempt to improve the treatment of substance dependence, non-invasive neuromodulation has gained attention as a new potential treatment option. The aim of this trial is to investigate the efficacy of left DLPFC iTBS in a population of alcohol use disorder patients, compared with the sham iTBS. Moreover, this trial will conduct follow-up assessments to evaluate whether its efficacy can sustain for a long time if it is effective.

The target is left DLPFC and the iTBS protocol is: 70% of RMT; triplet 50 Hz bursts, repeated at 5 Hz; 2s on and 8s off; 600 pulses a session.

The target is right DLPFC and the sham stimulation protocol is: triplet 50 Hz bursts, repeated at 5 Hz; 2s on and 8s off; 600 pulses a session.

Craving will be measured by visual analogue scale(VAS), participants specify their level of craving by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points, score ranges from 0 to 10, 0 refers to the lowest level of craving, 10 refers to the highest level of craving.

The abstinence rate defined as the number of abstinent days in the three months after the last simulation session

The decrease of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory to measure the severity of depression .

The decrease of Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory that is used for measuring the severity of anxiety.

Inclusion Criteria: a DSM-5 diagnosis of alcohol use disorder age between 18 and 65 can return to the research center for successive visits. Exclusion Criteria: severe cognitive impairment current DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder current other substance abuse (except nicotine) severe organic diseases rTMS contraindications (such as a history of epileptic seizures, metal implants near the head).

Yuan C, Su H, Chen T, Voon V, Du J. The Effect of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Mar 10;11:210. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00210. eCollection 2020.