Accelerated rTMS for hospitalized patients with OCD
Accelerated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Hospitalized Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: a Feasibility and Mechanistic RCT
NA · University Hospital, Ghent · NCT07135414
We will test whether adding accelerated rTMS (dTMS or iTBS) to inpatient ERP helps adults hospitalized with moderate-to-severe OCD.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen) |
| Trial ID | NCT07135414 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, three-arm inpatient study compares two accelerated rTMS approaches (deep TMS and intermittent theta burst stimulation) plus Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) against ERP alone. rTMS arms use an accelerated protocol with multiple sessions per day over a two-week inpatient stay, and all participants complete standardized questionnaires and neural measures. The trial focuses on feasibility, tolerability, clinical symptom change, and neural mechanisms underlying response. Participants are randomized by computer and treated at a single academic medical center.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 hospitalized for OCD with moderate-to-severe symptoms (Y-BOCS ≥ 20) who can participate in inpatient ERP are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with current suicidal ideation, active psychotic disorders, active substance use disorder, or implanted DBS devices are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could speed up symptom relief and increase response rates by combining intensive ERP with accelerated rTMS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior trials have shown dTMS can be effective for OCD and accelerated or iTBS protocols have promising but more limited evidence, while combining these with intensive inpatient ERP is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 * Hospitalization for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) * Participation in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy * Significant OCD, as measured by a Y-BOCS score of 20 or higher (moderate to severe OCD symptoms) Exclusion Criteria: * Acute suicidality: Individuals presenting with current suicidal ideation or behavior are excluded to ensure participant safety. * Psychotic disorder: patients with active psychotic disorders are excluded due to the complexity of their condition and potential interactions with the study protocol. * Current substance use disorder: active substance use disorders are exclusionary to prevent confounding effects on study outcomes. * Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for OCD: participants with an implanted DBS device for OCD are excluded due to potential interference with the study's interventions and safety concerns.
Where this trial is running
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen
- UZ Gent — Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chris Baeken, PhD. MD. Psychiatry — UZ GENT
- Study coordinator: Stefanie De Smet, PhD
- Email: stefanie.desmet@ugent.be
- Phone: 00329 332 43 94
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder, OCD, TMS, deep TMS, iTBS, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, OCD-TMS