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NCT Number: NCT06892028

EEG-based Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (eTMS) to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This is a randomized, sham controlled study of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) based Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (eTMS) treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The recruitment goal is 110 participants who are United States Military veterans or first responders (e.g., firefighters, police, paramedics, etc.). The Study includes an EEG recording in order to determine the optimal treatment parameters for the eTMS system, followed by 15 in-office visits that take place over 21-28 total days. Two eTMS treatment sessions are administered during each office visit.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

22 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States

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About this study

eTMS-PTSD-001 Stage 2 is a randomized, sham controlled study with a recruitment goal of 100 subjects, with 99 completers. The Study is intended to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eTMS in the target population. A maximum of 800 individuals will be screened in order to achieve the recruitment goal. The total number of days from the first participant enrolled to the last enrolled participant treated will be approximately 10 months.

Participants will be either Veterans or First Responders (e.g., emergency medical service provider, firefighter, or any other emergency response personnel), between 22-65 years of age. Participants may be male or female of any racial/ethnic background who meet the eligibility criteria. Participants will be recruited from the general public, and from veterans and first responder organizations.

The primary outcome for the Study will be reduction in PTSD symptoms as calculated by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) assessment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Willing and able to consent to participate in the study via signed Informed Consent
  • Age 22 - 65 years
  • Diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5 criteria via the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS).
  • Onset of symptoms meeting the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD symptoms persisting for a minimum of 6 months prior to the Screening Visit
  • Veterans Administration PCL-5 cut point score of 31 or above
  • Positive identification as either a Veteran, or First Responder (e.g., emergency medical service provider, firefighter, or any other emergency response personnel)

Exclusion criteria

  • Uncontrolled medical, psychological or neurological condition
  • Pregnant, or female unwilling to use effective birth control during the course of the trial
  • Metal objects in the head
  • Past exposure to metal fragments, permanent piercings, and/or other possible metal sources in the head and neck
  • Current participation in any interventional research protocol
  • History of any type of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
  • History of stroke or intracranial lesion or increased intracranial pressure
  • History of epilepsy of seizure
  • Family history of epilepsy or seizure in 1st degree relative
  • An elevated risk of suicide or violence to others

Treatment and study plan

EEG-based personalized TMS

Device

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), in which treatment is personalized based on the participant's Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Sham Comparator

Device

Sham Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), in which treatment is personalized based on the participant's Electroencephalogram (EEG). No stimulation is provided.

Primary outcomes

  1. Improvement in PTSD Symptoms as Measured by Drop in Score on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

    Time frame: Baseline and Final Measure, between 21-28 Days

    The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed. (DSM-5), commonly referred to as PCL-5, is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD. It is used to monitor symptom change during and after treatment. Each item is scored from 0 to 5 as the participant's estimate of the severity of the symptom (0 = Not at all, 1=A little bit, 2 = Moderately, 3 = Quite a bit, 4 = Extremely). The final score range is between 0-80. A lower score is considered better than a higher score.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number, Severity, Relatedness, Type, Subsequent Treatment/Intervention Required, and Resolution Status of Adverse Events (AEs) During the Study.

    Time frame: Baseline and Final Measure, between 21-28 Days

    Number - Number of adverse events reported. Note that each participant may have had more than one adverse event (AE).

    Severity - Number of adverse events that were mild, moderate, or severe. Relatedness - Number of adverse events that were not related, suspected, or definitely related to treatment.

    Type - Number of adverse events that were or were not Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).

    Subsequent treatment/intervention required - Number of adverse events that did or did not require subsequent treatment/intervention.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Matthew Sherwood, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

937-775-2342

Walter Mysiw, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

614-293-3433

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wave Neuroscience

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Electroencephalogram (EEG) Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (eTMS) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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