Alleviating Headache and Pain in GWI With Neuronavigation Guided rTMS (NCT03030794) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Alleviating Headache and Pain in GWI With Neuronavigation Guided rTMS
United States90 participantsStarted 2016-12
Plain-language summary
This study aims to assess the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on Gulf War illness related headaches and pain.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Criteria for veterans with Gulf War Illness headaches and pain:
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male or female between ages 18-65
* CDC Criteria for GWI
* Kansas Criteria for GWI
* International Headache Society Criteria for Migraine HA w/o aura
* Average Headache Exacerbation Intensity \>3 on 0-10 NPRS
* Average Overall Daily Muscle Pain Intensity \>3 on 0-10 NPRS
* Average Overall Daily Extremities Joint Pain Intensity \>3 on 0-10 NPRS
* Headache Exacerbation/Attack ≥ 3 times/week, lasting \>4 hrs in past 3 months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnancy
* History of pacemaker implant
* Any ferromagnetic (e.g. bullet fragment, shrapnel, device implant) in the brain or body that will prohibit the patients from having a brain MRI
* History of dementia, major psychiatric diseases, or life threatening diseases
* Presence of any other chronic neuropathic pain states such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
* History of seizure
* Pending litigation
* Low back pain with mechanical origins such as lumbar radiculopathy or radiculitis or lumbar facet arthropathy
* Lack of ability to understand the experimental protocol and to adequately communicate in English
* History of Traumatic Brain injury
* Chronic Tension or Cluster Headache
* Ongoing Cognitive Rehabilitation or Treatment of PTSD
Criteria for healthy veterans without Gulf War Illness headaches and pain:
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male or female between ages 18-65
* Served at least 30 consecutive days in the Persi…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.