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Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS) for Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Key facts

Who runs it
Massachusetts General Hospital
Where
Charlestown, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Not yet recruiting
People taking part
100 people, planned
Starts
1 Jun 2027
Expected to end
31 Dec 2029
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham
Record updated
13 November 2026

Who can take part

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

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 17 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Reserve or former member of the military (veteran status)
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Primary diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) confirmed by the - Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score ≥ 33, indicating clinically significant PTSD symptoms
  • Proficient in English (spoken and written) to ensure understanding of study procedures and informed consent

Who cannot take part

  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) within 3 months prior to screening
  • Current use of antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medications
  • Presence of intracranial implants or non-removable metal in or near the head (excluding the mouth)
  • History of open-skull traumatic brain injury
  • Clinically significant seizure disorder or history of manic episodes
  • Neurological conditions associated with increased risk (e.g., increased intracranial pressure, brain lesions, stroke, cerebral aneurysm)
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities suggesting elevated seizure risk
  • Clinically significant or unstable medical conditions, including active suicidal ideation
  • Uncontrolled medical illness (e.g., thyroid, hepatic, cardiac, pulmonary, or renal disease)
  • Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with study participation or completion
  • Initiation of PTSD-specific treatment within the past 4 weeks (participants on a stable regimen may be eligible)
  • Pregnancy (for women of childbearing potential)

Where in United States

  • Home BaseCharlestown, United StatesContact: Alan Berkeley, MBANot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This study is testing a personalized form of brain stimulation called PrTMS as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military service members and veterans. Unlike standard approaches, this treatment uses a simple brainwave test (EEG) to tailor the therapy to each individual. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active treatment or a comparison (sham) treatment over 6 weeks. Researchers will track changes in PTSD symptoms, mood, sleep, and overall well-being, including using wearable devices to measure things like sleep and heart rate. The goal is to see whether this personalized approach can provide greater and longer-lasting relief for individuals living with PTSD.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Active PrTMS (EEG-Guided rTMS)Existing treatment, for comparison

    Participants receive personalized, EEG-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (PrTMS) administered 5 days per week for 6 weeks, with stimulation parameters individualized and adjusted over time based on serial sEEG and neurocognitive assessments.

    Treatment: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

  • Sham PrTMSSham treatment, for comparison

    Participants receive sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) administered 5 days per week for 6 weeks using a sham coil that mimics the sound and sensation of active treatment without delivering a therapeutic magnetic field.

    Treatment: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham

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.
Record updated
13 November 2026