rTMS for Smoking Cessation
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial studies best dose and how well repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) works in promoting smoking cessation and preventing relapse in current smokers. rTMS is a form of brain stimulation therapy that controls nerve cell activity, increases blood flow in the brain, and improves cognitive function.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Participants must stop taking medications that lower the seizure threshold, such as tricyclic antidepressants or bupropion, and any medications used for tobacco cessation like nicotine replacement, bupropion, or varenicline.
Is rTMS safe for smoking cessation?
Research shows that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is generally safe for humans and has been used in various studies to help with smoking cessation. It is a non-invasive method that has been tested in multiple trials, including a large multicenter study, and has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for use in adults trying to quit smoking.12345
How does the treatment rTMS for smoking cessation differ from other treatments?
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is unique because it is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in addiction and craving, unlike traditional methods like nicotine replacement or medications. It has shown promise in reducing cigarette consumption and increasing quit rates by targeting brain circuits related to reward and executive control.12345
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for smoking cessation?
Research shows that rTMS can help people quit smoking by reducing cravings and cigarette consumption. In a large study, 19.4% of smokers who received active rTMS quit smoking for at least four weeks, compared to 8.7% who received a fake treatment. This suggests that rTMS can be an effective aid for smoking cessation.15678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Christine Sheffer
Principal Investigator
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for right-handed adults who smoke 5-25 cigarettes daily and want to quit within the next 30 days. They must be able to read at an 8th-grade level, pass a safety questionnaire, have no drug use, and not be heavy alcohol users. It's not for those with metal implants in the head/neck, pacemakers, certain mental health disorders, or on seizure-lowering or tobacco cessation meds.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo rTMS or sham rTMS once or twice daily over 16 minutes for 8, 12, or 16 days
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including cognitive-behavioral therapy skills and side effects
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- Sham Intervention
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator