By InvitationNot Applicable

Study on Treatment Mechanisms and Efficacy Prediction of Individualized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Multimodal MRI and High-Throughput Sequencing

China160 participantsStarted 2022-01-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore if "individualized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)" works to improve symptoms in adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It also aims to learn how this treatment works (by looking at links between the brain, gut, and gut bacteria) and if tests like brain scans or gut bacteria checks can show if the treatment will work for a person. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will individualized TMS improve IBS symptoms (like stomach pain or discomfort) and affect the links between the brain, gut, and gut bacteria? Can brain scan results (from multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI) and gut bacteria checks (from high-throughput sequencing) predict how well a person responds to TMS? Participants will be adults aged 18-59 who: Meet the Rome Ⅳ criteria for IBS (a standard way to diagnose IBS); Have stopped taking IBS-related medicines for more than 2 weeks; Do NOT have MRI or TMS contraindications (like metal implants in the body, mental illness, pregnancy, or serious illnesses requiring hospital stays). Participants will: Receive 10 TMS sessions (5 times a week, for 2 weeks total) - TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses on the scalp; Before the first TMS session, and again after the 10th session: Fill out surveys to rate IBS symptoms; Have an MRI scan (painless, takes about 60 minutes) to look at brain activity; Provide a small stool sample to check gut bacteria.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 75 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.

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); * Has discontinued IBS-related medications for more than 2 weeks prior to enrollment; * Aged between 18 and 75 years (inclusive); * Has sufficient cognitive ability to provide informed consent, understand study instructions, and complete questionnaires. Exclusion Criteria: * Has contraindications to MRI (e.g., metal implants in the body, claustrophobia) or TMS (e.g., history of epilepsy, skull defects); * Diagnosed with mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) that require ongoing medication or psychotherapy; * Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period; * Presents signs of severe illness requiring hospitalization (e.g., hemodynamic instability, acute infection, acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction); * Has taken any substances that may affect study indicators (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics) within 3 months prior to enrollment.

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.

What they're measuring

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Rating Scale (IBS-SSS)

Timeframe: Baseline (within 1 week before the first TMS session), post-treatment (within 24 hours after the 10th TMS session), 1 month after treatment (±7 days), 3 months after treatment (±7 days)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07345377

SponsorThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) trials