Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

MRI-Guided Accelerated cTBS for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

75 participantsStarted 2026-06

Plain-language summary

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with persistent anxiety, functional impairment, and incomplete response to existing treatments. Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown therapeutic potential in anxiety disorders, conventional treatment schedules often require several weeks and may not provide sufficiently rapid symptom relief. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of precision-targeted accelerated continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) guided by individualized functional connectivity between the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the amygdala in patients with GAD.

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.

Inclusion Criteria: * Outpatients or inpatients at the Second Xiangya Hospital who are confirmed by two experienced psychiatrists to meet the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. * Aged 18 to 65 years, regardless of gender. * Right-handed. * Junior high school education or above, with the ability to provide informed consent and complete cognitive assessments. * Able to receive anti-anxiety treatment during the follow-up period according to the instructions of outpatient or inpatient physicians. * Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) score ≥14 and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) score ≥5. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of psychotic symptoms. * Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, current psychiatric symptoms, or post-traumatic stress disorder based on SCID-5 assessment, either currently or within the past year. * Organic brain disease or severe somatic diseases, such as thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, infection, or major trauma. * Intracranial implants. * Clinically significant sensory impairments that cannot be corrected, such as color blindness or hearing impairment. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women. * Positive urine drug screen. * Abnormal thyroid function tests. * Personal history of epilepsy or family history of epilepsy. * Receipt of physical therapy within the past si…

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

Change in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) Total Score From Baseline to Day 5

Timeframe: Baseline and Day 5 (End of Treatment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07640945

SponsorCentral South University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-01

Contact for this trial

Yumeng Ju, PhD

86+18100731091 yumeng.ju@csu.edu.cn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) trials