Navigated cTBS for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The researchers will use a neuronavigation system, which acts like a GPS for the brain based on a participant's own MRI scan, to guide the stimulation to a specific target in the brain's auditory association cortex. This area is involved in processing information and may play a role in anxiety. Participants who enroll will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive active cTBS treatment, while the other will receive a sham (placebo) stimulation that feels similar but has no therapeutic effect. The treatment will be given three times a day for seven consecutive days. Before and after the treatment period, all participants will complete clinical questionnaires to measure their anxiety and related symptoms. They will also undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans to help researchers understand how cTBS affects brain activity. A follow-up assessment will be conducted two weeks after the treatment ends to check on symptoms.

NCT Number	NCT07121712
Lead Sponsor	WANG KAI
Conditions	Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Enrollment	40 participants
Start Date	2025-09-09
Primary Completion	2026-08-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-08-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-09-10