A Clinical Trial Into the Efficacy of rTMS Treatment for Treating Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

University of Manitoba

Overview

This is a pilot study to test the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. The main objective of this study is to determine the short and long-term efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in reducing eating disorder symptoms (i.e. binging, purging, restricting, intense fear of gaining wait, etc;) in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. The investigators will also be comparing the brain activity patterns of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa to healthy controls using electroencephalography (EEG). Further, the investigators would like to examine if the activation patterns in these patients change after receiving rTMS.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Conditions

Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa

Interventions

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDEVICE

A non-invasive method of brain stimulation.

Sham Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDEVICE

A device designed to look, sound, and feel like a real magnetic stimulation coil without actually stimulating the brain.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, must pass rTMS screening questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of another psychiatric disorder, except MDD. * Any rTMS counter-indications: * History of seizures * Metal in head * Currently pregnant * Having received rTMS for any reason in the past as this would interfere with participant blinding.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Weekly Binge/Purge Frequency on Eating Disorder Examination

Outcome measured by change of binge/purge episodes from baseline to the end of treatment. If the participant has a final score of 0 binges and 0 purges they will be considered in remission. A 50% improvement will be defined as a response to the rTMS.

Time frame: baseline, after week 1, week 2, and week 3 of treatment, 3 months post treatment, and 6 months post treatment.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

Outcome range: 0-63, with higher scores reflecting higher levels of anxiety. A total of 21 questions are summed for a total score out of 63.

Time frame: baseline, after week 1, week 2, and week 3 of treatment, 3 months post treatment, and 6 months post treatment.

Change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Outcome range: 0-63, with higher scores reflecting higher levels of depression. A total of 21 questions are summed for a total score out of 63.

Time frame: baseline, after week 1, week 2, and week 3 of treatment, 3 months post treatment, and 6 months post treatment.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.