Mindfulness Engaged Neurostimulation for Depression (MEND II)
United States120 participantsStarted 2026-05-01
Plain-language summary
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an FDA-approved therapy for treatment resistant depression (TRD) that involves brief magnetic stimulation pulses on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) brain region. But studies of rTMS alone show remission rates of \~30%. Additionally, rTMS has not been shown to improve cognitive functioning that may be an independent factor predicting treatment success. This study will develop a novel multimodal treatment, which combines intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) - a type of rTMS with digital mindfulness training to engage brain plasticity, enhance cognition and alleviate depression symptoms in individuals with TRD.
Who can participate
Age range18 Years – 65 Years
SexALL
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:
* Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE, in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5), in the context of unipolar major depressive disorder.
* At least one failed antidepressant medication trial at level 3 in the Antidepressant -Treatment History Form: Short Form (ATHF-SF) classification.
* Montgomery-Ã…sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score \>19 (moderate - severe depression).
* No increase or initiation of new antidepressant therapy in the four weeks prior to screening.
* Demonstrated capacity to give informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to provide informed consent.
* Medically unstable patients.
* Concomitant neurological disorder or a history of a seizure disorder.
* Exhibiting current suicidal behavior rating on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
* Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Any psychotic disorder or current active psychotic symptoms.
* Patients who have intracranial implants, other medical device or condition deemed unsafe for TMS.
* Contraindication to MRI scanning.
What they're measuring
1
Change in EEG source localized pDMN alpha activity