Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if theta burst stimulation (TBS) can reduce chronic headaches caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBS is a safe, drug-free brain stimulation technique that uses magnets to create electricity and stimulate nerve cells in the brain. After repeated TBS sessions, the increased stimulation of nerve cells can alter the way the brain communicates with itself (by creating new neural pathways) which, in turn, can reduce pain symptoms. Participants in this study will complete a baseline assessment followed by four weeks of daily home headache assessment. Participants will then receive four weeks of TBS administered three times per day and three days per week. After TBS is completed, participants will complete an additional four weeks of daily home headache assessment and return for a one-month follow-up assessment. Participation is expected to last three months.


Clinical Trial Description

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of theta burst stimulation (TBS) for the management of post-traumatic headaches to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). To improve tolerability and logistical burden, we have developed a novel design whereby participants will receive three doses of TBS on alternate days of the week. This design will allow us to assess efficacy while leveraging an accelerated treatment course (nine stimulation sessions per week). We have three specific aims: Specific Aim 1. To determine the efficacy and safety of TBS for the treatment of post-traumatic headache among individuals who have sustained a mild TBI. Hypothesis 1a: TBS will be safe, well-tolerated, and reduce the number of headache days. Hypothesis 1b: TBS will improve function and quality of life outcomes. Specific Aim 2: To determine the efficacy and safety of an accelerated time-course of TBS for the management of post-traumatic headache. Hypothesis 2a: The accelerated-time course will be safe, well-tolerated, and improve quality of life outcomes. Hypothesis 2b: The accelerated time-course will produce greater and faster improvement in headache symptoms than that reported in the literature for standard repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols. Specific Aim 3: To examine the durability of treatment response to accelerated TBS during a one-month observational period. Hypothesis 3: Accelerated TBS will result in enduring treatment response of post-traumatic headache symptoms over the follow-up period. This study will be an open-label pilot study and will enroll 20. Participants will complete four weeks of pre-intervention headache assessment via Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Participants will then receive TBS intervention three times a week for four weeks. TBS will be administered in 10-minute sessions, three times per day with 20 minutes between sessions. TBS intervention will be completed using the Magstim Horizon Performance Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Magstim Company, Ltd.) device or the MagVenture MagPro X100 with MagOption Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device (MagVenture, Inc.). Both devices are FDA-cleared to provide TBS for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and will be used off-label for this study. After TBS intervention, participants will complete an additional four weeks of EMA headache assessment and return for a one-month follow-up assessment. Participants will be assessed with multiple instruments and at multiple timepoints including interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive functioning assessments. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04906603
Study type Interventional
Source Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Contact Katrina Friedrich
Phone 612-467-1811
Email katrina.friedrich@va.gov
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date November 1, 2019
Completion date September 2023

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Active, not recruiting NCT05559255 - Changes in Pain, Spasticity, and Quality of Life After Use of Counterstrain Treatment in Individuals With SCI N/A
Completed NCT06238557 - Prospective Evaluation of Psychological Consequences and Impact on Long-term Quality of Life
Recruiting NCT05563805 - Exploring Virtual Reality Adventure Training Exergaming N/A
Completed NCT05472935 - Asynchronous Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to Reduce Burnout in Licensed Clinical Social Workers N/A
Recruiting NCT04444544 - Quality of Life and High-Risk Abdominal Cancer Surgery
Completed NCT04281953 - Impact on Quality of Life of Long-term Ototoxicity in Cancer Survivors
Recruiting NCT05546931 - Mobile Health Program for Rural Hypertension N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04746664 - Effects of Nutrition Counselling on Old Age People's Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia N/A
Completed NCT05387174 - Nursing Intervention in Two Risk Factors of the Metabolic Syndrome and Quality of Life in the Climacteric Period N/A
Recruiting NCT04142827 - The Effect of Long Term Therapy With High Flow Humidification Compared to Usual Care in Patients With Bronchiectasis (BX) N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05903638 - A Pilot RCT: the Impact of a Virtual MBSR Course on Women With Primary Infertility N/A
Completed NCT05538455 - Investigating ProCare4Life Impact on Quality of Life of Elderly Subjects With Neurodegenerative Diseases N/A
Completed NCT06216015 - Exercise Training and Kidney Transplantation N/A
Completed NCT03813420 - Sleep Quality of Physiotherapy Students Quality of Life and Physical Activity Level N/A
Recruiting NCT05550545 - Infant RSV Infections and Health-related Quality of Life of Families
Completed NCT05346588 - THRIVE Feasibility Trial Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05233020 - Robotic Versus Hybrid Assisted Ventral Hernia Repair N/A
Terminated NCT03304184 - The Role of Biodentine in Class V Dental Lesions on Oral Health Related Quality of Life Phase 3
Completed NCT05063305 - Probiotics, Immunity, Stress, and QofL N/A
Recruiting NCT05380856 - Sacral Neuromodulation for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract, Bowel and Sexual Dysfunction N/A