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NCT Number: NCT07217444

Improving Outcomes in Adolescent Inpatient Depression With Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) as an adjunctive treatment for adolescents hospitalized with major depressive disorder (MDD).

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Hospitalization in Children Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Self-Injurious Behavior Suicidal Ideation Suicide

Age range

14 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45224, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ashley Krafft, Masters

CONTACT

[email protected]

5138038644

Jennifer Combs, Masters

CONTACT

[email protected]

5138030007

Rana Elmaghraby, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) as an adjunctive treatment for adolescents hospitalized with major depressive disorder (MDD). Our central hypotheses are that dTMS H7 targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal and cingulate cortices, delivered via the Brainsway H7-Coil™, will be safe, well tolerated, and lead to improved depressive symptoms, reduced suicide risk, and lower readmission rates compared to sham treatment. Investigators propose a double-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial enrolling 14- to 18-year-old inpatients with MDD with or without obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants (n=60) will be randomized to receive either active or sham TMS during hospitalization, with follow-up assessments continuing for 12 months post-discharge. Outcomes will include safety, tolerability, treatment adherence, depressive symptom change, suicidal ideation, and time to psychiatric readmission. This study will provide foundational data to support the clinical integration of TMS into inpatient care for adolescents with treatment-resistant depression.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Fluent in English and able to volunteer in the informed consent process and provide spontaneous narrative description of key elements, risks, and benefits of the study.
  • Aged 14 years to 18 years, inclusive.
  • Diagnosis of MDD based on psychologist diagnosis and DSM-5-checklist based interview.
  • Symptoms of moderate to severe depression according to Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Score > 20.
  • Participants are not required to discontinue current interventions

Exclusion criteria

  • Participation in an investigational drug trial within the past three months.
  • Contraindications to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation including, but not limited to, a history of epilepsy, the presence of metallic foreign bodies, or implanted medical devices (e.g. ventriculoperitoneal shunt, pacemaker, medical pump).
  • Actively psychotic (i.e. disorganized, delusional, paranoid, or having hallucinations)
  • Actively suicidal (have a suicidal plan and intent and is on 1:1 close observation)
  • For female subjects of childbearing potential, a positive urine pregnancy test.

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Device

The Brainsway Deep TMS System with the FDA-cleared H7 Coil will be used to deliver all accelerated theta burst stimulation (aTBS) sessions. The H7 Coil is designed to target deeper and broader brain regions, including the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, and has FDA 510(k) clearance for treatment of OCD and MDD in adults. Stimulation will follow a standardized accelerated theta burst protocol: triplet 50 Hz bursts delivered every 200 ms (5 Hz), in 2-second trains with 8 seconds off, at 90% RMT, totaling 600 pulses per session. Participants will receive five sessions per day over five business days with 30-minute breaks between the third and fourth sessions and exceeding or preceding these breaks will not be a protocol deviation. The sham coil mimics sensory experience without delivering stimulation.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham

Device

Investigators will use a robust sham technique that is manufacturer-designed to mimic the auditory and tactile sensations of active TMS without delivering effective magnetic stimulation to the brain. The Brainsway Sham H7-CoilTM will be utilized for treatment delivery. The H-7 coil already has a built-in sham system that can operate as a placebo. Only the TMS operators will have access to intervention assignments, the rest of the study team will not have access to assignments to maintain the blinded status of participants, caregivers, and raters.

Primary outcomes

  1. Tolerability and Safety

    Time frame: Completed before and immediately after the intervention

    We will collect and summarize descriptive data on discomfort and adverse events using Sections IV of the TMS Adverse Events and Associated Sensations Questionnaire (TMSens_Q). This captures typical sensory experiences or side effects, e.g. scalp tingling or headache) as well as adverse events (e.g. syncope). Tolerability will be characterized based on sensory experiences and side effects, comparing active to sham treatment. Safety will be further assessed by the rate of early discontinuation due to intolerability or adverse events using the CCHMC Adverse Event form.

    Tolerability:

    Unit of measure: frequency and severity of sensory experiences and adverse events, e.g. scalp tingling or headache, syncope).

    Safety:

    Unit of measure: Rate of early discontinuation or withdrawal of treatment due to intolerability or adverse events.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hospitalization

    Time frame: Completed monthly for the first 6 months, 9th and 12th month follow up

    Time to first psychiatric readmission or emergency department (ED) visit for depression or suicidality within 12 months post-discharge.

    Unit of Measure: Time to first psychiatric readmission or ED visit (months).

  2. Depression Symptoms

    Time frame: Completed at screening, same day after the intervention, monthly for 6 months, then at 9th and 12th month follow up

    Change in depressive symptom severity as rated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). The HDRS is a 17-item rating scale administered by a trained rater following a semi-structured interview. Scores of 0-7 are generally within the normal range, and a score of 20 or higher indicates moderate depression severity. Research suggests that a decrement of 7 points on the HAMD-17 represents minimally clinically important differences from patient perspectives.

    Unit of Measure:

    HDRS-17 total score.

  3. Suicide Risk

    Time frame: Completed at screening, same day after the intervention, monthly for 6 months, then at 9th and 12th month follow up

    Change in suicidal ideation and behavior from screening to follow-up, assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

    Unit of Measure:

    C-SSRS severity.

Study contacts

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

Ashley Krafft, Masters

CONTACT

[email protected]

5138038644

Jennifer Combs, Masters

CONTACT

[email protected]

5138030007

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Other

Registry information

Acronym: IMPACT-D

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 16, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 11, 2026

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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