Magnetic Seizure Therapy plus antipsychotics for psychotic disorders

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

Adults aged 18–55 with schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders and a PANSS score ≥60 are randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) over 2 weeks in addition to their antipsychotic medication, or to receive antipsychotic medication alone. MST is a modified form of convulsive therapy designed to induce brief seizures using magnetic stimulation and may cause less cognitive disturbance than electroconvulsive therapy. After the 2-week intervention phase, all participants return to routine clinical management while blinded clinical assessments continue for 4 weeks. Safety, symptom change, and speed of response are compared between groups.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) meets the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders according to DSM-5;
* (2) age range between 18 and 55 years;
* (3) Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score≥60;
* (4) to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1) have a concomitant severe medical illness;
* (2) are pregnant or intend to get pregnant during the study;
* (3) have a history of DSM-5 diagnosis of substance dependence or abuse within the past three months;
* (4) history of traumatic brain injury (with a screening scale score of 7 or above);
* (5) history of poor response to electroconvulsive therapy or MST;
* (6) have probable dementia based on study investigator assessment; have any significant neurological disorder or condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure or a space occupying brain lesion, e.g., cerebral aneurysm;
* (7) presenting with a medical condition, medication, or laboratory anomaly deemed by the investigator to potentially induce psychotic symptoms, or significant cognitive impairment. (e.g., hypothyroidism with low TSH, rheumatoid arthritis requiring high dose prednisone, or Cushing's disease);
* (8) have an intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed;
* (9) a score of 18 or more on the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D);
* (10) needing ECT treatment immediately due to such dangerous symptoms as suicide, stupor or psychomotor agitation, etc.

Where it's running

• Shanghai Mental Health Center
  Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting
• Shanghai Mental Health Center
  Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jijun Wang, M.D, Ph.D — Shanghai Mental Health Center
• Study coordinator: Jijun Wang, M.D, Ph.D
• Email: jijunwang27@163.com
• Phone: 86-21-34773065

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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.