An interventional study of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and sham for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Amphetamine Use Disorders, Amphetamine Use Disorder and Amphetamine Dependence, sponsored by TsaoTun Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Taiwan. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 20 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-07.
Sponsored by TsaoTun Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Taiwan · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Amphetamine Use Disorder (AUD) is a major public health issue in Taiwan, where it is the most commonly abused illegal drug. There are currently no effective approved medications to treat it, which makes finding new treatment options urgent. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, has shown promise in reducing cravings and drug use in people with addiction, but its effects on AUD are not well studied.
To explore this, the investigators plan to conduct a double-blind, sham-controlled study with 20 people diagnosed with AUD. Half will receive real rTMS treatment, and half will receive a placebo-like sham treatment. The treatment targets a specific brain area (the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and will be given 10 times over two weeks.
The investigators will assess the effectiveness of rTMS by tracking drug cravings, urine test results, and side effects with follow-up over 12 weeks. The investigators also include brain imaging using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) after the treatment.
The study aims to better understand how rTMS might help reduce amphetamine cravings and improve outcomes, potentially leading to new treatment options for AUD.
Amphetamine Use Disorder (AUD) is a serious and growing public health concern, especially in Taiwan, where amphetamines are the most commonly misused illegal drugs. Globally, amphetamines also rank among the top drugs of abuse. Despite the widespread impact of this condition, there are currently no approved medications that effectively treat amphetamine addiction. This gap in treatment options underscores the urgent need for new and innovative approaches to help individuals struggling with AUD.
One promising method being explored is Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). This is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It has already shown positive effects in treating several mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and early studies suggest it may also help reduce cravings and drug use in people with substance use disorders.
This study aims to investigate whether rTMS can help people with AUD by reducing their cravings and improving their chances of recovery. To do this, the investigators will conduct a carefully controlled clinical trial involving 20 participants who have been diagnosed with AUD. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive active rTMS treatment, while the other will receive a "sham" or placebo version of the treatment. This means the second group will undergo the same procedure without the magnetic stimulation, allowing us to accurately measure the true effects of rTMS.
The treatment will focus on a brain area called the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is involved in decision-making, impulse control, and craving regulation. The rTMS sessions will use a high-frequency setting (15 Hz) delivered in short bursts, with a total of 10 sessions spread over two weeks.
To understand the impact of the treatment, the investigators will collect several types of data from participants throughout the study (pre and post) and for 12 weeks afterward. This includes:
Urine drug tests to check for ongoing amphetamine use Craving assessments to see if the urge to use drugs decreases Monitoring for side effects to ensure safety Neuropsychological tests to assess changes in thinking and behavior Brain imaging using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to observe changes in brain activity Through this comprehensive approach, the investigators hope to learn more about how rTMS works in the context of amphetamine addiction and whether it could be developed into an effective treatment. The findings could pave the way for new, science-based therapies to support individuals with AUD and reduce the burden of this condition on individuals, families, and society.
58 studies on the registry are indexed under Amphetamine-Related Disorders; 4 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 20 is below the median of 40 across 51 interventional studies indexed under Amphetamine-Related Disorders.
Browse Amphetamine-Related Disorders studies →TsaoTun Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Taiwan is the lead sponsor of 8 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The sham group will undergo a placebo procedure using the same rTMS parameters but with a figure-of-eight sham coil, following precedents set by studies on cocaine use disorder treatment (Terraneo et al., 2016).
Device: sham for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
rTMS will be administered at a frequency of 15Hz, with each pulse at 100% rMT intensity. Sessions include 60 pulses per train, with a 26-second inter-train pause, across 40 trains, totaling 2400 pulses over a 20-minute session. Schedule: Participants will receive daily rTMS sessions for the first five days, followed by 5 more sessions for the second week, totaling 10 sessions
Device: repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Targeting: The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) will be the target for treatment. Equipment: rTMS will be delivered using a Magstim super rapid magnetic stimulator with a 70-mm air-cooled figure-eight-shaped coil. Resting Motor Threshold (rMT) Measurement: rMT is determined through visual twitch responses in the contralateral hand, identifying the minimal intensity needed to elicit thumb movement in 50% of trials. rTMS will be administered at a frequency of 15Hz, with each pulse at 100% rMT intensity. Sessions include 60 pulses per train, with a 26-second inter-train pause, across 40 trains, totaling 2400 pulses over a 20-minute session.
The sham group will undergo a placebo procedure using the same rTMS parameters but with a figure-of-eight sham coil, following precedents set by studies on cocaine use disorder treatment (Terraneo et al., 2016).
Average Hb level using Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
NIRS will focus on oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb of frontal lobe and left and right sides frontal lobe. Later the average Hb will be calculated for frontal lobe and left and right sides frontal lobe.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks.
Urine Drug Test
Urine drug tests to check for ongoing amphetamine use
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Amphetamine Dependence Level
Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) (V. C. H. Chen et al., 2008)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Amphetamine Craving Level
Craving Scale: Includes the Drug-Use and Craving Questionnaire (Huang et al., 2021)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Impulsivity Level
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) (Patton et al., 1995)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Level for Quality of Life
WHO Quality of Life instrument - BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) (Yao et al., 2002)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Anxiety Level
General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) (Spitzer et al., 2006)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Depression Level
Chinese Version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD- C) (Cheng \& Chan, 2005; Radloff, 1977)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Erectile Function
International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) (Rosen et al., 1998)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Suicidality
Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) (Horowitz et al., 2012)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up.
Plan to share: No
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Amphetamine-Related Disorders→
TsaoTun Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Taiwan