NCT07636694Recruiting
Effects of Concurrent and Consecutive Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM)
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 16 Oct 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The goal of this study is to learn whether combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with a computerized behavioral intervention (imagery cognitive bias modification, CBM-I) reduces negative interpretation bias and mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms. The study will also examine neural changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and whether timing of interventions affects outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does active TMS reduce negative interpretation bias and depressive symptoms more than sham TMS? Is delivering CBM-I concurrently with TMS more effective than delivering it consecutively (separate sessions) at reducing negative bias and depressive symptoms? Do combined rTMS + CBM-I approaches produce greater neural changes and improved cognitive control over self-referential interpretation than controls? Researchers will compare active TMS versus sham TMS, and concurrent versus consecutive delivery of CBM-I, to test effects on negative bias and depressive symptoms. Participants will: Receive either active rTMS or sham TMS targeting the DLPFC Complete imagery CBM-I sessions either concurrently with TMS or in separate (consecutive) sessions Undergo assessments of negative interpretation bias, depressive symptoms, and neural measures before and after the intervention
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 180 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2026
- Start date
- 24 Feb 2025
- Primary completion date
- Dec 2028
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT07636694
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 180
- From 24 Feb 2025 to the primary completion date, Dec 2028
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Other illness
- History of severe physical disease, brain organic diseases, and neurological disorders (e.g., dementia, brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease)
- History of substance use/ dependence/ withdrawal
- Participants with contraindications for rTMS such as foreign metal bodies, implant devices (cochlear implants) or history (personal or family) of seizure
Other
- Participants with intellectual disability based on IQ scores
- Participants who are not suitable to be scanned by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine (e.g., claustrophobic, pregnant, metal in the body, hearing aids)
Who the study is looking for
- Aged 18 years or above
- Right-handed
- Normal or corrected hearing and vision
- Obtained primary education or above
- Able to fluently read and understand Chinese
- Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score ranging from 14-28
Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| InnoCentre of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Quarry Bay | Hong Kong SAR China | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.