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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05292547

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to People With Cannabis Use Disorder (SToP-C-rTMS x CUD)

This study is to explore if repetitive transcrinal magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with different stimulation schedules will be equally effective in reducing carving, frequency of cannabis use, and the severity of cannabis use disorder in participants suffering from cannabis use disorder (CUD).

The investigators assume the hypotheses as:

1. Multiple rTMS sessions can reduce craving for cannabis, severity of CUD, frequency and amount of cannabis use. 2. Different rTMS treatment schedules have differences in reducing the craving for cannabis and severity of CUD, and prolonging relapse of cannabis use.

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Key information

Conditions

Cannabis Use Disorder Chemically-Induced Disorders Marijuana Abuse Mental Disorders Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Queen Mary Hospital

Hong Kong, 000000

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Able to read and communicate in English and/or Chinese SToP-C-rTMS x CUD
  • Able to give informed consent
  • Using cannabis or marijuana as the primary psychoactive substance of abuse
  • Diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5)

Exclusion criteria

  • Age <18 years old
  • Unable to read English or Chinese
  • Unable to give informed consent
  • Had been diagnosed with the following disorders, including neurodevelopmental disorders, DSM-5 defined substance use disorder greater than moderate in severity, and neurocognitive disorders
  • Contra-indicated to have rTMS, including subjects with electronic and/or magnetic implants (e.g. pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD], cerebral shunts, cochlear implant, etc.), with metallic or mechanic fragments (e.g., screws, plates, stents, clips, etc.), pregnant, with any known or history of neurological conditions including cerebral vascular accidents, epilepsy, brain tumor or space occupying lesion, poorly controlled or unstable diabetes mellitus, and receiving unstable dose(s) of antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and/or anticonvulsants in the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Device

rTMS using Magventure TMS system is delivered at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of consented subjects according to 3 different stimulation schedules.

Primary outcomes

  1. A change in amount of cannabis use

    Time frame: 12 months

    Subject's self-report on the amount of cannabis use (in terms of number of joints per day) at baseline to the amount of use at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

  2. A change in frequency of Cannabis Use

    Time frame: 12 months

    Subject's self-repot on the frequency of cannabis use (in terms of number of times of use per day and/or per week) at baseline to that at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

  3. Severity of Cannabis Use Disorder

    Time frame: 12 months

    A change in severity of cannabis use disorder measured by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) with severity ranges from 0 to 11 (maximum severity) from baseline to that at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

  4. Severity of Dependence

    Time frame: 12 months

    A change in scorings measured by the Severity of Dependence Scale (ranges from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 20) from baseline to that at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

  5. Craving

    Time frame: 12 months

    A change in scorings measured by Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (ranges from a minimum of 17 to a maximum of 119) from baseline to to that at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

Secondary outcomes

  1. Level of Anxiety

    Time frame: 12 months

    A change in severity of anxiety measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory (with a score from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 63) at baseline to that at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

  2. Level of Depression

    Time frame: 12 months

    A change in severity of depression measured by Beck Depression Inventory (with a score from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 63) at baseline to that at at 2nd week, 4th week, 5th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12-month post-treatment with rTMS

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Substance Misuse To Psychiatric Disorders-Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to People With Cannabis Use Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 23, 2022
Registry last updated
Jul 8, 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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