This trial aims to obtain initial evidence about the clinical efficacy and modulation of neurophysiological markers in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using personalized (i.e., electroencephalography (EEG)-triggered) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as compared to non-personalized (i.e., non-EEG triggered), standard rTMS applied to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.
This trial uses a prospective, randomized, single-blind study design with two treatment arms at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, ON. The study aims to compare the clinical effects of EEG-triggered, personalized rTMS (i.e., experimental arm) in the treatment of OCD to those of non-EEG triggered, non-personalized rTMS (i.e., active-comparator arm). Additionally, the study aims to compare the modulation of neurophysiological (i.e., EEG) markers of OCD between the two arms. Study treatment will be administered five days per week across a six-week treatment course for a total of 30 sessions. Both rTMS arms will use the same TMS coil, stimulation intensity, number of pulses, and anatomical target (i.e., dorsomedial prefrontal cortex). Clinical outcomes will be measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) with clinical response defined as a ≥30% improvement on the Y-BOCS. The self-reported revised Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R) and Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) scale will also be used. Neurophysiological outcomes will be measured by the change in frontoparietal theta amplitude (i.e., 4-7 Hz) and power of TMS-induced theta oscillations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
48
The rTMS intervention will be delivered using the MagPro XP - Orange Edition stimulator and COOL D-B80 coil to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex 4 cm anterior to the foot hotspot. EEG data will be analyzed in real-time using the bossdevice MEDICAL and TMS pulses will be synchronized to the negative peak of the frontoparietal theta oscillation. 500 consecutive EEG theta-oscillation negative-peak triggered quadruplet bursts with a 5 ms inter-pulse interval will be applied at an average inter-burst interval of 2 s. The therapeutic intervention consists of 30 sessions of 2000 TMS pulses each for a total duration per treatment session of 17 minutes.
The rTMS intervention will be delivered using the MagPro XP - Orange Edition stimulator and COOL D-B80 coil to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex 4 cm anterior to the foot hotspot. High-frequency rTMS consisting of 50 trains at 20 Hz (2 s on, 18 s off) will be delivered. The therapeutic intervention consists of 30 sessions of 2000 TMS pulses each for a total duration per treatment session of 17 minutes.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGYale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
The Y-BOCS is used to (a) qualify OCD symptoms using a symptom checklist and (b) assess their severity using a symptom severity rating scale. The checklist allows the participant to identify the thoughts and behaviours that are part of their OCD. The severity scale assesses five dimensions of obsessions and compulsions: time spent or occupied, interference with functioning or relationships, degree of distress, resistance, and control (i.e., success with resistance). The scale ranges from 0-40; a lower score indicates less severe OCD, while a higher score indicates more severe OCD.
Time frame: From screening to the end of the follow-up period (1 week post-intervention)
Obsessive Compulsive Inventory - Revised (OCI-R)
The OCI-R is a self-reported 18-item scale that measures symptom severity across six domains of OCD: washing, checking, ordering, neutralizing, obsessing, and hoarding. The scale ranges from 0-72; lower scores indicate less severe OCD (or a subclinical presentation for scores \<21), while higher scores indicate more severe OCD.
Time frame: From screening to the end of the follow-up period (1 week post-intervention)
Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) Scale
The CGI-I is a clinician-determined assessment that rates change in global clinical presentation (i.e., improvement or worsening) from the baseline presentation on a 7-point scale.
Time frame: From screening to the end of the follow-up period (1 week post-intervention)
Electroencephalography (EEG) Markers of OCD
1. Amplitude of frontoparietal theta oscillations in the resting EEG before and after single treatment sessions measured in dB 2. the power of TMS-induced oscillations in the theta range throughout the six-week treatment course measured in dB
Time frame: From screening to the end of the follow-up period (1 week post-intervention)
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