Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 22 to 65

rTMS plus cognitive-behavioral therapy for cocaine use disorder

Official title: Augmenting Cognitive-behavioral Therapy With rTMS of the Medial Prefrontal and Anterior Cingulate Cortices for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder

Run by New York State Psychiatric Institute · NCT05974202 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether adding rapid magnetic brain stimulation to standard CBT helps people with cocaine use disorder reduce use and improve brain connectivity.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages22 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorNew York State Psychiatric Institute
Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 14, 2026
Main results expectedApril 28, 2028
Study endsApril 28, 2028
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT05974202 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 22-65 with DSM-5 diagnosed current moderate to severe cocaine use disorder who are treatment-seeking and meet study eligibility criteria.

Probably not a fit

Individuals with certain psychiatric comorbidities or current severe substance use disorders other than cocaine may not experience benefit.

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

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, neural mechanisms, and clinical efficacy of using the H-7 coil rTMS as an augmentation to CBT in 30 adults with cocaine use disorder. Participants receive an accelerated rTMS protocol over several days and undergo two MRI scans to assess brain changes, alongside clinical outcomes focused on abstinence. The study aims to show feasible treatment delivery, a reduction in resting-state connectivity between key brain regions after one week of active stimulation, and occurrences of consecutive weeks of abstinence during the treatment phase. It uses a controlled design with sham stimulation to determine the added value of rTMS when combined with CBT.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced cocaine use and improved brain function linked to better control over cravings.

How similar studies have gone: Previous rTMS studies in cocaine use have shown signals of effect, but rigorous sham-controlled trials remain limited, making this approach comparatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 22-65;
2. Able to give informed consent and comply with study procedures;
3. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate/severe CUD and are treatment-seeking;
4. Used cocaine at least 6 days in the past 28 days;
5. Agree to no more than moderate alcohol consumption (\<15 drinks/week for men and \<8 drinks/week for women) and to avoid using amphetamine/methamphetamine and non-prescribed benzodiazepines or barbiturates; and
6. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use a method of contraception with proven efficacy and agree to not become pregnant during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate or severe major depressive disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any psychotic disorder (other than transient psychosis due to substance use);
2. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score \> 17;
3. Young Mania Rating Scale score \>10;
4. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate or severe other substance use disorder (aside from tobacco use disorder). Thus physiologic dependence on any substance other than nicotine is exclusionary (including alcohol);
5. Heavy weekly alcohol drinking as defined by an average of \>14 drinks/week for men or \>7 drinks/week for women on average during the past 28 days;
6. Prior alcohol, benzodiazepine, or barbiturate withdrawal that resulted in hospitalization, medical detoxification, or resulted in seizures or delirium tremens;
7. Non-prescribed medications/drugs that in the opinion of the investigator may change the seizure threshold, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, amphetamines/methamphetamine;
8. Any current DSM-5 psychiatric disorder(s) that meet the following criteria in the investigator's opinion 1) are unstable, 2) would be worsened by study procedures, or 3) are likely to require acute intervention during the study period;
9. Significant current risk of suicide, indicated by either: (1) "yes" response on #3, #4, or #5 on the C-SSRS and a psychiatric risk assessment indicating a moderate or high risk of suicide or (2) suicidal behavior in the past year that, in the opinion of the clinician, increases risk of future suicidal behavior over the study period (note: non-suicidal self-injurious behavior is not exclusionary).
10. Females with a positive urine pregnancy test and/or breast feeding
11. Clinically significant abnormal cardiac functioning per electrocardiogram (ECG) (required for any participant age 60 years and older);
12. Seizure history including: seizure disorder/epilepsy, alcohol/drug withdrawal seizure, or seizure deemed by the study physician to be related to cocaine intoxication/withdrawal (note: febrile seizures are not exclusionary)
13. Other conditions associated with seizure: epilepsy and the following acute or subacute neurologic disorders: stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury (moderate or severe), neurosurgery, meningoencephalitis, increased intracerebral pressure, or intracerebral abscess, neurodegenerative disorders, and parenchymal or leptomeningeal brain tumors (per the TMS core guidelines which is attached).

    Participants with a history of metabolic abnormalities (hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypo or hyperglycemia, renal failure/uremia, liver failure), recent infection with fever, and serious alcohol withdrawal will be assessed by the MD/NP to ensure these conditions have resolved and are not currently present (per the TMS core guidelines which is attached).

    In this protocol, we will also exclude glaucoma, severe migraine (particularly complicated migraines with significant aura and hemiparesis, and severe vertebrobasilar migraines, that may lead to brainstem infarctions).
14. Medications that lower seizure threshold and in the opinion of the investigator impose significant seizure risk for the individual (including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bupropion, clozapine, and anticholinergics). The use of lithium, antipsychotics (other than clozapine), antibiotics, antihistamines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors will be carefully assessed by the physician
15. Cognitive disorder (MMSE \<25);
16. Disqualifying response on the TMS Adult Safety Screen (TASS);
17. Implanted devices or stimulators (cardiac pacemakers, vagus nerve stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, cochlear implant, implanted brain stimulators)
18. Currently taking ototoxic medications (aminoglycosides, cisplatin);
19. Metal implants or paramagnetic objects in the body that prohibits MR scanning;
20. Claustrophobia that prohibits MR scanning; or
21. Legally mandated (e.g., to avoid incarceration or other penalties) to participate in SUD treatment program.
22. Moderate to severe heart disease

Where it's running

  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) / Substance Treatment and Research Service (STARS)
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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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.
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.