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Accelerated and Extended-iTBS Targeting Inhibitory Control in Veterans With ADHD

Key facts

Who runs it
VA Office of Research and Development
Where
Providence, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Not yet recruiting
People taking part
35 people, planned
Starts
1 Dec 2026
Expected to end
1 Jul 2028
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation
  • Sham Stimulation
Record updated
2 October 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years to 65 years
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 11 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predominantly hyperactive-impulsive or combined, as outlined in the DSM-5-TR criteria
  • Maintenance of clinical symptoms despite receiving stable treatment for a minimum of 6 weeks before the study procedures
  • Capability to comprehend and provide informed consent
  • For safety reasons, participants must meet established screening criteria to ensure safety during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans; This precaution is taken due to the novel application of iTBS in this specific population, as MRI involves exposure to magnetic fields similar in intensity to those emitted from the stimulation coil
  • As such, participants must not have the following, unless the devices are MRI-safe:; cardiac pacemaker; implanted devices (such as deep brain stimulators); metal in the brain; cervical spinal cord, or upper thoracic spinal cord level
  • In addition, eligible Veterans must also be able and willing to comply with all study procedures and visits
  • Throughout the study, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic regimens will tentatively remain unchanged

Who cannot take part

  • Primary psychotic disorders, bipolar I disorder, ongoing severe substance use disorders, or active suicidality
  • Non-MRI safe cardiac pacemakers, implanted devices, or metallic implants at the upper thoracic spine level or higher
  • Any of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) specific exclusion criteria, including:; pregnancy; lactation; planning pregnancy during period of study; history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury; active unstable medical conditions; central nervous system (CNS) tumors; seizures; cerebrovascular disease; other severe neurological disorders
  • Additional exclusion criteria include the presence of any other condition or circumstance that, as determined by the investigator team, has the potential to prevent study completion or introduce confounding effects in outcome assessments

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 18 and 65 years old?

Where in United States

  • Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RIProvidence, United StatesContact: Kate J Barnabe, MHANot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Impaired inhibitory response manifests clinically as increased impulsivity, which leads to poorer affective, cognitive, social, and occupational functioning. Neuropsychiatric disorders prevalent among Veterans, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are associated with poor inhibitory control. The mainstay of clinical treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, yet these medications have significant risks, including dependence and numerous side effects. Thus, novel and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies are needed. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation, a newer form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, has emerged as a promising tool for modulating inhibitory neuronal circuits. This research proposal will investigate the feasibility and acceptability of iTBS on inhibitory control and impulsivity through a randomized controlled trial to inform clinical observations. The long-term goal is to improve impulsivity, social and occupational functioning, and enhance the quality of life for Veterans.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Active StimulationExisting treatment, for comparison

    Active iTBS includes two extended stimulation sessions, at 90% MT, with standard parameters (50Hz triplets every 200ms), each consisting of 3,600 pulses (19 minutes), with a 30-minute intersession interval.

    Treatment: Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation

  • Sham StimulationSham treatment, for comparison

    Sham will be administered using equivalent procedures but with a sham coil. The sham coil is specifically designed to match the active coil in appearance, sound, and scalp sensation, providing a credible sham experience, as observed in our prior studies.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
ACHIEVE: Accelerated and Extended-rTMS to Heighten Inhibitory Control Engagement in Veterans
Fit questions
Built from NCT07442058, who can take part
Record updated
2 October 2026