Magnetic brain stimulation to reduce food cravings and help weight control
The Effectiveness of rTMS on Improving Food Craving and Weight Control in Adults Without Serious Mental Illness
This project will try repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to reduce food cravings and help weight control in healthy adults aged 18–65 who report craving or weight-control problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam) |
| Trial ID | NCT07106398 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong will deliver repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to healthy adults who report food cravings or weight-control issues to see whether it reduces cravings and affects weight. Participants will be screened to exclude serious mental illness, major neurological conditions, rTMS contraindications (including metal implants or pacemakers), and current weight-loss medications. The protocol includes repeated rTMS sessions with monitoring for short-lived side effects such as headache, dizziness, or nausea, and measurement of craving scores and weight over the study period. All procedures are provided free of charge at HKU's Sassoon Road Campus and participation is voluntary with the option to withdraw at any time.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 18–65 who self-report problematic food cravings or difficulty controlling weight and who do not have serious mental illness, major neurological disease, rTMS contraindications, or current weight-loss medication use.
Not a fit: People with serious mental illness, severe neurological conditions, metal implants or pacemakers, or those taking weight-reduction medications are excluded and unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce food cravings and help some people better manage their weight without adding medication.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies of rTMS for eating-related cravings have shown some promising but mixed results, so further research is needed to confirm effectiveness.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults * Aged between 18-65 * Self-reported food craving or weight control issues Exclusion Criteria: * People with serious mental illness * Severe neurological conditions * Contraindications for rTMS * People on weight-reduction medications
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam
- Sassoon Road Campus, HKU — Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Pak Wing Cheng
- Email: chengpsy@hku.hk
- Phone: 85290169487
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.