Compares two brain stimulation treatments for depression
Tests whether low-frequency right-side stimulation works as well as left-side stimulation in depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Left vs. Right Non-Inferiority Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Toronto and Vancouver, CanadaSee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT04999553, who can take part
Where in Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthToronto, CanadaTaking people
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Centre, University of British ColumbiaVancouver, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of British Columbia
- Trial code
- NCT04999553
- Record updated
- 25 August 2026
- Original description
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that low-frequency rTMS (LFR) works as well as the established intermittent thetaburst rTMS (iTBS) treatment for treatment resistant depression (TRD).Read full original descriptionShow less
Left Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation vs. Right Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effectiveness in Depression and Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that low-frequency rTMS (LFR) works as well as the established intermittent thetaburst rTMS (iTBS) treatment for treatment resistant depression (TRD).
Inclusion: are female or male; are outpatients; are voluntary and competent to consent to treatment; have a DSM 5 diagnosis of MDD,55 single or recurrent confirmed by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 7.0; are 18yo to 65yo; have failed to achieve a clinical response to an adequate dose of an antidepressant based on an Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF) score of > 3 in the current episode OR have been unable to tolerate at least two separate trials of antidepressants at less than the minimum adequate dose and/or duration (ATHF 1 or 2); have a score ≥ 18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17 item); have had no increase or initiation of any psychotropic medication in the 4 weeks prior to screening; are able to adhere to the treatment schedule; pass the TMS and MRI adult safety screening questionnaires.
Exclusion: have a concomitant major unstable medical illness; have any intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed; are participating in psychotherapy, must have been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to study entry, with no anticipated change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions, or focus of therapeutic sessions over the duration of the study; have a history of substance use within the last 3 months; have a lifetime (MINI) diagnosis of any psychotic or bipolar disorder; have a MINI anxiety disorder or personality disorder assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD; have any significant neurological disorder, any history of seizure (except those therapeutically induced by ECT), significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for > 5 min; have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with interview); have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality, in the opinion of the one of the principal investigators; have active suicidal intent; are pregnant; have failed a course of ECT in the current episode.