rTMS Treatment in Patients With General Anxiety Disorder

Queen's University30 enrolled

Overview

This study will compare the change detected by a standardized rating scale (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) scores in the active treatment group as compared to sham (placebo) group after 6 weeks of rTMS treatments. It is hoped that 6 weeks of rTMS treatment will lead to improvement of core symptoms in patients with GAD.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Interventions

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationDEVICE

6 weeks of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation . Treatment comprises of stimulation with rTMS frequency 20Hz, intensity 110% of MT, 20 trains, 9 sec/train, 51 sec ITI applied over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex by a figure eight shaped coil. Treatment will be given 5 times a week for 4 weeks, 3 times a week during Week 5 and 2 times a week during Week 6.

placebo shamDEVICE

Sham treatment will mimic active treatment mentioned above.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * signed patient informed consent; * primary GAD diagnosis; * HARS \>=15; * male/female 18-65 years; * without GAD pharmacotherapy at least last 2 weeks or if they are taking GAD medication it must be stable for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the study and not be changed during the 6 weeks of the study treatment phase. * Individual or group supportive psychotherapy may continue during the study but will not be allowed to start new psychotherapy during the 6 weeks of the study treatment phase. Exclusion Criteria: * current serious Axis I schizophrenia, bipolar I, MDD; * other primary Axis I in the opinion of investigator; * HDRS \>=18; * metallic implant in cranium except mouth; * severe/unstable medical conditions; * ect within last 3 months; * history epilepsy; * neurological disorder leading to increased intracranial pressure; * severe cardiac disorder/intracardiac lines/pacemakers; * current suicide risk.

Locations (2)

Military Medical Academy

Sofia, Bulgaria

Providence Care Mental Health Services

Kingston, Ontario, Canada