Deep Versus Standard Prolonged Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Depression

This study compares two types of non-invasive brain stimulation to treat major depression in patients who have not found relief from at least one antidepressant medication. The study will use a specific type of brain stimulation called prolonged intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (piTBS). The standard way to use piTBS for depression is to target an area on the side of the head called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This study will compare this standard piTBS method with a newer approach, deep piTBS, which targets a different, deeper area in the middle of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the deep piTBS treatment, and the other will receive the standard piTBS treatment. Both treatments are given once a day, five days a week, for four weeks. The study aims to find out if the deep piTBS approach is more effective at reducing symptoms of depression than the standard approach. Researchers will also look at effects on anxiety and other related symptoms.

NCT Number	NCT07198438
Lead Sponsor	National Taiwan University Hospital
Conditions	Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Depression
Enrollment	90 participants
Start Date	2025-11-24
Primary Completion	2027-06-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-06-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-02-11