Taking people in TaiwanNo phase

Tests brain stimulation for emotion control in autism with limited speech

Tests brain stimulation on the left front brain area in autistic people.

Key facts

Who runs it: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Where: Taoyuan, TaiwanSee the site
Trial code: NCT06974838
Registry title: Explore the Therapeutic Effect of Theta Burst Stimulation on Emotion Regulation in Autism With Minimally Verbal Ability or Intellectual Disability
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 60 people, planned
Started: 8 Aug 2025
Expected to end: 31 Dec 2027
Type of study: Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested: intermittent theta burst stimulation
Record updated: 16 September 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for people aged 8 to 30 with autism who speak very little or have an intellectual disability. It tests theta burst stimulation (a brain stimulation method) over the left DLPFC.

Age: 8 to 30 years
Sex: All sexes can join.
Disease stage: Autism spectrum disorder confirmed by DSM-5, with minimal verbal ability or intellectual disability (FSIQ < 70).

Main reasons for not taking part

Severe neurological disorders such as epilepsy, or significant vision or hearing problems
Severe body-wide diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or multiple sclerosis
Implanted metal devices such as a pacemaker or medication pump
Severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression
Pregnancy

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 17 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, confirmed by DSM-5
Individuals with minimal verbal ability or intellectual disability (FSIQ < 70)

Who cannot take part

Presence of implanted metal devices, such as a pacemaker or medication pump
Concurrent use of medications that increase the risk of seizures
Current or past severe neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, or significant visual or hearing impairments
Current or past severe systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis
History of severe brain injury
Current or past severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder
Family history of epilepsy
History of febrile seizures
Sleep disorders during rTMS procedures
Pregnancy
Significant brain abnormalities, such as intracranial space-occupying lesions
Skin lesions or trauma at the stimulation site
Deemed ineligible by the principal investigator (PI)
Participation in another clinical trial within the past month
Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts within the past year

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 8 and 30 years old?

Where in Taiwan

Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuan, TaiwanContact: Hsing Chang Ni, Ph.DTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The investigator would like to investigate the impact of theta-burst stimulation over left DLPFC in autism with minimally verbal ability or intellectual disability

The 2 groups in the trial

Active groupExisting treatment, for comparison
Participants received the real intervention of TBS (iTBS 1200) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 4 weeks (5 days/week). \*iTBS = intermittent theta burst stimulation
Treatment: intermittent theta burst stimulation
Sham groupSham treatment, for comparison
Participants received the sham intervention of TBS (with sham coil) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 4 weeks (5 days/week).
Treatment: intermittent theta burst stimulation