An interventional study of 4 session rTMS and 6 session rTMS in Moderate Depression, Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Depression, sponsored by Changping Laboratory. Suspended at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-06.
Sponsored by Changping Laboratory · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of different doses of neural regulation under the guidance of pBFS technology in improving symptoms in patients with moderate to severe depressive disorders.
In 2022, the FDA cleared a large dosage of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which requires 10 sessions per day of 1,800 pulses per session for a total of 18,000 pulses per day. The inter-session interval is 50 min, and it costs patients 9 hours for the intervention. The investigators assume that patients with moderate to severe depression may not need 10 sessions per day, patients may achieve response or remission with a less amount of dosage, which will save the cost of treatment. Hence, the investigators try to find the optimal treatment dosage for patients with moderate to severe depression.
After being informed about the study and potential risks. All patients giving written informed consent will undergo a screening period to determine eligibility for study entry. At week 0, patients who meet the eligibility requirements will be randomized in a double-blind manner in a 1:1:1:1:1 ratio to each active rTMS group with different pulses (4×1800 pulses, 6×1800 pulses, 8×1800 pulses, 10×1800 pulses) and sham-control group. And then all participants will undergo a 5-day rTMS treatment followed by four- and eight weeks follow-up visits. Participants will keep a stable treatment regime during treatment and the four-week follow-up.
2,740 studies on the registry are indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major; 558 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is above the median of 80 across 2,282 interventional studies indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major.
Browse Depressive Disorder, Major studies →Changping Laboratory is the lead sponsor of 32 studies on the registry; 24 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Four sessions of active rTMS would be delivered to the left DLPFC daily, with a session of 1800 pulse.
Device: 4 session rTMS
Six sessions of active TMS would be delivered to the left DLPFC daily, with a session of 1800 pulse.
Device: 6 session rTMS
Eight sessions of active rTMS would be delivered to the left DLPFC daily, with a session of 1800 pulse.
Device: 8 session rTMS
Ten sessions of active rTMS would be delivered to the left DLPFC daily, with a session of 1800 pulse.
Device: 10 session rTMS
Subjects were randomized to receive 4 sessions or 6 sessions or 8 sessions or 10 sessions of sham rTMS to the left DLPFC daily in a 1:1:1:1 ratio.
Device: sham rTMS
Participants will receive 4 sessions per day of 1800 pulses per session, lasting for 5 days. Individualized targets will be generated using the pBFS method.
Participants will receive 6 sessions per day of 1800 pulses per session, lasting for 5 days. Individualized targets will be generated using the pBFS method.
Participants will receive 8 sessions per day of 1800 pulses per session, lasting for 5 days. Individualized targets will be generated using the pBFS method.
Participants will receive 10 sessions per day of 1800 pulses per session, lasting for 5 days. Individualized targets will be generated using the pBFS method.
The parameters in the sham arms are the same as the active stimulation groups. Stimulation was delivered by the same device as the active group fitted with a sham coil.
Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores from baseline to 4 weeks Post-treatment
The MADRS is a validated instrument stratifying the severity of depressive episodes in adults. The MADRS has an overall score ranging from 0 (no depression) to 60 (worst depression).
Time frame: Baseline, Day 28(4 weeks Post-treatment)
Change in MADRS
A provider-administered questionnaire was used to assess remission and recovery from depression. The MADRS is a ten-item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders. The MADRS has an overall score range from 0-60, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of depression.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5 (Immediate Post-treatment), 14 days Post-treatment, 28 days Post-treatment, 56 days Post-treatment
Change in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17)
A provider-administered questionnaire was used to assess remission and recovery from depression. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) is the most widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale. The HAMD-17 version consists of 17 items assessing mood, guilt, general somatic symptoms, work and activities, anxiety, and slowness of thought and speech. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 4, except for the somatic, sleep, and insight items which are scored 0 to 2. On the HAM-17 there can be a total score of 22. Higher scores represent higher depression severity.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5 (Immediate Post-treatment), 14 days Post-treatment, 28 days Post-treatment, 56 days Post-treatment
Change in Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS_SR)
A provider-administered questionnaire was used to assess remission and recovery from depression. The 16-item QIDS\_SR is a widely used self-report instrument covering depressive symptoms incorporating nine Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorders. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 4. Higher scores represent higher depression severity.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5 (Immediate Post-treatment), 14 days Post-treatment, 28 days Post-treatment, 56 days Post-treatment
Safety estimated using SSI, YMRS
Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) measures suicide ideation, Young Mania Rating Scale(YMARS) measures mania
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5 (Immediate Post-treatment), 14 days Post-treatment, 28 days Post-treatment, 56 days Post-treatment
cognitive change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST）
Cognitive scores are measured using Chinese brief cognitive test (C-BCT), the DSST equires a subject to match symbols to numbers according to a key located on the top of the page
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5
cognitive change in continuous performance test (CPT）
CPT from the C-BCT measures a person's sustained and selective attention
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5
cognitive change in Trail-Making Test (TMT)
The TMT test from the C-BCT can provide information about visual search speed, scanning, speed of processing, mental flexibility, and executive functioning
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5
cognitive change in Digit Span Test (DST)
DST from the C-BCT is a measure of verbal short term and working memory that can be used in two formats, Forward Digit Span and Reverse Digit Span
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5
This study is suspended, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Changping Laboratory