Mobile TMS for Depression

(TMS Trial)

Overseen By Alexandra Herron, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 4

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Unstable conditions, Seizures, Pregnant, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 1-2 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new method of delivering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive treatment for depression, using a mobile unit. The researchers aim to determine if offering TMS from a van is safe, effective, and practical in various locations around South Carolina. This approach could make TMS more accessible for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, meaning they haven't found relief from other treatments. Individuals who have struggled with depression despite trying medications and can reach one of the test sites might be suitable for this trial. As a Phase 4 trial, this research focuses on understanding how this FDA-approved and effective treatment can benefit more patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What is the safety track record for Mobile Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Research shows that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for depression. TMS is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery, and it works well for many people with major depressive disorder (MDD). The FDA approved TMS for treating depression in 2008, and it is often used when other treatments haven't been successful.

Experts have reviewed many studies and consistently found TMS to be safe. Most people experience only mild side effects like headaches or scalp discomfort, which usually resolve quickly. Serious side effects are very rare. This strong safety record makes TMS a reliable option for those considering it as a treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers enthusiastic about this study treatment?

Mobile Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression is unique because it offers a portable approach to a treatment that traditionally requires patients to visit a clinic. Unlike standard antidepressants or electroconvulsive therapy, which can have significant side effects or require hospital visits, mobile TMS uses magnetic fields to non-invasively stimulate specific areas of the brain, potentially reducing side effects and improving accessibility. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it could make TMS more convenient and accessible for patients, especially those in rural or underserved areas, by bringing the treatment to various clinics, such as those within the VA system throughout South Carolina. Additionally, the focus on the left prefrontal cortex, a key area associated with mood regulation, holds promise for effectively alleviating depressive symptoms.

What evidence suggests that mobile TMS is effective for depression?

Research shows that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) effectively treats major depression. Studies have found that people receiving TMS achieve much better depression scores than those receiving a placebo treatment. In some cases, TMS has reduced depression symptoms by 30-60%. A faster version of TMS demonstrated a 47% decrease in depression symptoms in just three days. This trial will evaluate Mobile Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a form of TMS, to further explore its effectiveness in relieving depression. These findings suggest that TMS can powerfully relieve depression. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mark George, MD

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 22-80 with treatment-resistant depression, who can communicate in English and provide consent. Participants must have access to a computer with videoconferencing for initial screening. It's not specified who cannot join the trial.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 22 and 80 years old.

I can read and communicate in English.

I can make my own medical decisions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive FDA approved accelerated TMS (6 sessions each day, over 2 hours, for 5 days, spread over one or two weeks)

1-2 weeks

Daily visits for 5 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Trial Overview The study is testing a new way of delivering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) using a portable unit inside a van at different locations in South Carolina. The goal is to assess how feasible, safe, and effective mobile TMS could be as a widespread treatment option.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Open label Clinical TMS for Depression Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

This will be FDA approved Left Prefrontal TMS for treating depression, we will be performing this within a VA, located at clinics throughout SC.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720325933

Clinical outcomes in a large registry of patients with major ... Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment for episodes of major depressive disorder ( ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2993526/

Is There Evidence for Effectiveness of Transcranial ... It was shown that patients who received active rTMS had a significantly greater improvement in depression scores compared with those who received sham treatment ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41386-023-01599-z

Accelerated TMS - moving quickly into the future of ... Overall, accelerated TMS appears to hold promise to reduce treatment time and achieve rapid reduction in depressive symptoms, but at this time ...

4. uclahealth.org uclahealth.org/news/release/study-finds-possible-early-predictor-successful-transcranial

Study finds possible early predictor of successful ... The effectiveness of rTMS has previously been observed as quite variable, with reported response rates ranging from 30-60%. Researchers at UCLA ...

5. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-05545-1

Short-term and long-term efficacy of accelerated transcranial ... showed a significant effect of aiTMS on day 3 of treatment, with a 47% decrease in the mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score after ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735822001210

Efficacy and safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation for ... Authors of all meta-analyses interpreted findings to suggest TMS is safe and effective for MDD. Our re-analysis showed that in 14 out of 15 meta-analyses, the ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846193/

Consensus Recommendations for the Clinical Application of ... Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe, noninvasive neuromodulation therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). rTMS is applied over the ...

8. va.gov va.gov/montana-health-care/programs/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms-treatment-for-depression/

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – Treatment For ... TMS is safe, non-invasive and effective. TMS has been approved by the FDA since 2008 to treat depression. TMS is typically used when other ...

9. med.uth.edu med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2025/04/21/a-new-consensus-on-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms/

A New Consensus on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) The expert panel reviewed nearly 2,400 studies and confirmed that TMS is safe and effective, even for people whose depression hasn't responded ...

10. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01370733

Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) in ... This multicenter study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sTMS in subjects with Major Depressive Disorder. Subjects will be randomized to ...