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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05720312

Investigating Two rTMS Strategies to Treat Cannabis Use Disorder

In this trial we will work with a group of participants who are having problems related to marijuana use (they have Cannabis Use Disorder) and who want to reduce the amount of marijuana they use or quit using marijuana completely. We are testing to see if a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can help them achieve that goal when combined with a brief three-session counseling therapy. Participants will receive rTMS to one of two different parts of the brain (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex--the DLPFC or the ventromedial prefrontal cortex--the vmPFC) to see if applying rTMS to one brain area is more helpful than the other brain area.

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Key information

Conditions

Cannabis Use Disorder

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States

About this study

In this preliminary trial, we will test whether applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to one of two brain areas will help participants with Cannabis Use Disorder reduce the amount of cannabis they use or quit using cannabis completely. To do so, we will recruit participants from the community (or addictions medicine treatment centers) who meet the criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder (heavy use of cannabis causing social, occupational, or health problems) and want to either substantially reduce the amount of cannabis they use or quit using cannabis entirely. Participants will be randomized (in a 1:1 allocation) to receive rTMS to either the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). All participants will also receive evidence-based counseling to help them reduce the amount of cannabis they use. We will deliver study treatment with rTMS to participants over 18-study-visits occurring either two or three times each week and then will see whether the study treatment has helped by meeting with participants four times over six weeks. We will also see how the rTMS effected brain function by having participants undergo two scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments.
  • Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 60.
  • Participants must meet DSM-5 criteria for at least moderate Cannabis Use Disorder, with use of at least 20 out of the last 28 days.
  • Participants must express a desire to reduce cannabis use or quit.
  • Participants must have a positive UDS for cannabis during their enrollment visit (confirming they are regular users).
  • The investigative team must believe each participant is a good study-candidate.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Participants must not meet moderate or severe use disorder of any other substance with the exception of tobacco/nicotine.
  • Participants must not be on any medications that have central nervous system effects that have changed in the past 4-weeks.
  • Participants must not have a history of/or current psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder.
  • Participants must not have any other Axis I condition requiring current treatment.
  • Participants must not have a history of Dementia or other cognitive impairment.
  • Participants must not have active suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt within the past 180 days.
  • Participants must not have any contraindications to receiving rTMS or MRI (e.g. metal implanted above the head, history of seizure, any known brain lesion).
  • Participants must not have any unstable general medical conditions.

Treatment and study plan

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Device

Patterned pulsed magnetic stimulation delivered using an electromagnet. We will use a MagVenture rTMS device and a Cool-B65 coil.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number (%) of Participants Who Started and Completed Treatment

    Time frame: 6 to 9 weeks

  2. Number (%) of Participants Who Had Successful Generation of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Targets

    Time frame: Day 1 (90 minutes to complete scan)

  3. Number (%) Weeks of Abstinence From Cannabis

    Time frame: 13 weeks (final 7 weeks of active treatment plus 6-week post-treatment follow-up)

    Number (%) of weeks where the participant does not use any cannabis.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Days of Use Per Week.

    Time frame: 4 weeks prior to baseline assessment and 7 weeks at the end of treatment through 6-week post-treatment follow-up

    Number of days per week (0-7) where the participant uses any cannabis. At the time of enrollment participants were asked to recall the number of days of cannabis use per week for the 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Participants were then asked (over a period of 7 weeks) to recall days of use at the last fMRI visit (during prior week) and at the week 2, 4, and 6 follow-up visits. Average values are reported for the 4-week period prior to enrollment and the 7-week period at end of treatment at follow-up.

  2. Average Number of Use Sessions Per Week.

    Time frame: 4 weeks prior to baseline assessment and 7 weeks at the end of treatment through 6-week post-treatment follow-up

    Number of use sessions per week where the participant uses any cannabis. At the time of enrollment participants were asked to recall the number of cannabis use sessions per week for the 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Participants were then asked (over a period of 7 weeks) to recall the number of cannabis use sessions at the last fMRI visit (during prior week) and at the week 2, 4, and 6 follow-up visits. Average values are reported for the 4-week period prior to enrollment and the 7-week period at end of treatment at follow-up.

  3. Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) Scale Score

    Time frame: Baseline and end of the follow-up period (12 to 15 weeks post-baseline)

    The Q-LES-Q-SF overall score range is from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction and enjoyment. The total score is expressed as a percentage of the maximum possible score (1-100).

  4. Number of Participants Who Had a Period of 4-consecutive Weeks of Abstinence During the Follow-up Period

    Time frame: Follow-up period (final week of active treatment plus 6-week post-treatment follow-up)

    Based on patient self-report of any 4-week period of abstinence

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Preliminary Investigation of Two Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Strategies to Treat Cannabis Use Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 9, 2023
Registry last updated
May 28, 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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