Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Contingency Management with Deep TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder

Official title: Contingency Management Plus Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment

Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT07490600 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether a combination of contingency management and deep TMS helps people with cocaine use disorder who haven’t responded to initial treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment100 (estimated)
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 21, 2026
Main results expectedJune 1, 2029
Study endsSeptember 1, 2029
Registry record updatedJune 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT07490600 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with DSM-5 diagnosed moderate-to-severe cocaine use disorder who have not responded to initial treatments and have recent cocaine use verified by urine drug screens.

Probably not a fit

Individuals without cocaine use disorder or those who respond to standard treatments may not show additional benefit from this approach.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study investigates the added benefit of combining contingency management with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for adults with moderate-to-severe cocaine use disorder who have shown limited response to standard approaches. Participants receive contingency management with either sham or active TMS in an experimental framework to explore potential mechanisms of change. The study uses objective urine drug screens and behavioral measures to evaluate treatment outcomes over the study period. The approach aims to identify whether CM+TMS can improve abstinence rates and maintain treatment engagement compared with CM alone or CM+sham. Details on the exact stimulation parameters and session structure are provided to ensure safety and reproducibility.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve treatment response and abstinence rates for individuals struggling with cocaine use disorder.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests contingency management and brain stimulation can help with substance use outcomes, but combining them for this indication is still being explored.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Able to provide informed consent before any study-related activity, willing to comply with all study procedures, and be available for the duration of the study.
* Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for moderate-to-severe CUD and report recent cocaine use (verified by at least one positive urine drug screen (UDS) for the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE), during intake).
* Agree (if the participant is female and of child-bearing potential) to use effective contraceptive methods, unless the participant's male partner(s) is surgically sterile (underwent vasectomy).

Acceptable contraceptives include:

1. oral contraceptives
2. contraceptive sponge
3. patch
4. double barrier (diaphragm/spermicidal or condom/spermicidal)
5. intrauterine contraceptive system
6. etonogestrel implant
7. medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection
8. complete abstinence from sexual intercourse
9. hormonal vaginal ring

Contraceptive measures sold for emergency use after unprotected sex are not acceptable methods for routine use.

* Women of child-bearing potential must provide negative urine pregnancy test prior to randomization.
* Be able to provide the names and contact information of at least 2 persons who can consistently locate their whereabouts

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current DSM-5 diagnosis for substance use disorder (of at least moderate severity) other than cocaine, cannabis, or nicotine or a substance Use Disorder (SUD) requiring medical detoxification (e.g., alcohol, opioid, benzodiazepine)
* Presence of any medical, neurological, psychiatric, or physical condition, disease, or illness (including psychosis and bipolar disorder) that, in the opinion of the PIs and the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA)Medical Director could: (a) compromise interfere, limit, or reduce the subject's ability to complete the study; or (b) adversely impact the safety of the subject or the integrity of the data.
* Has current or recent (within 3 months of potential enrollment) suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, homicidal ideation or a homicidal plan sufficient to raise subject safety concerns based on the following assessments:

  1. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)
  2. Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale - Answers YES to Questions 3, 4, 5, or 6
  3. Assault \& Homicidal Danger Assessment Tool - Key to Danger \> 1
* Any contraindications to MRI scans (metal in the body; claustrophobia). -Medical implants contraindicating TMS (i.e., aneurysm clips or coils, stents, implanted stimulators, implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators, implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers or medication pumps, electrodes for monitoring brain activity, cochlear implants for hearing, any magnetic implants, bullet fragments, any other metal device or object implanted in your body closer than 30 cm from the coil).
* History of brain surgery.
* History of an intracranial lesion or any medical or neurological diagnosis/condition associated with increased intracranial pressure (i.e., Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension/Pseudotumor Cerebri) OR any of the following symptoms within 30 days of enrollment: headaches \> 15 days/month, loss of vision or decreased vision
* Moderate-to-severe heart disease.
* History of stroke.
* Taking any antidepressant or antipsychotic medication at a dose above the maximum recommended dose or at a dose deemed to be potentially unsafe according to the study physician; has taken any of the following medications, which are known to increase the risk of seizures, within 1 week of study enrollment; or does not agree to abstain from taking the following medications during study participation:

  1. clozapine
  2. chlorpromazine
  3. bupropion
  4. clomipramine hydrochloride
  5. amoxapine
  6. maprotiline hydrochloride
  7. diphenhydramine
  8. stimulants other than cocaine including the following:
  9. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine ii. Dextroamphetamine iii. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate iv. Methamphetamine

  v. Methylphenidate i. tramadol j. isoniazid.
* Personal history of epilepsy or seizure disorder and/or family history including a first degree relative
* Serious head injury with loss of consciousness
* Having conditions of probation or parole requiring reports of drug use to officers of the court or impending incarceration
* For adolescent aged participants (18-21 only): any risk factor for neurocardiogenic syncope (history of syncope/ presyncope related to noxious stimuli, anxiety, micturition, or posture).
* Pregnant or nursing for female participants
* Inability to read, write, or speak English.

Where it's running

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Joy M Schmitz, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
  • Study coordinator: Joy M Schmitz, PhD
  • Email: Joy.M.Schmitz@uth.tmc.edu
  • Phone: (713) 486-2867

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.