Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Using closed-loop rTMS to prevent migraines

Official title: Double-blind, Randomized, Sham-controlled Study of Closed-loop Repetitive Transcranial Magnet Stimulation (rTMS) for the Short-term Prevention of Migraine

Run by Brightmind.AI · NCT06735768 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a new type of brain stimulation can help people who get frequent migraines feel better and have fewer headaches.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment88 (estimated)
SponsorBrightmind.AI
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsErenumab, Fremanezumab, Galcanezumab
Locations1 site (Vienna, State of Vienna)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 9, 2024
Main results expectedJuly 2025
Study endsAugust 2025
Registry record updatedDecember 27, 2024
Trial IDNCT06735768 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with a history of migraine without aura, migraine with aura, or chronic migraine, experiencing at least four migraine days per month.

Probably not a fit

Patients with fewer than four migraine days per month or those who have had changes in medication usage in the three months prior to the study may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a preventive treatment for migraine disorders. It aims to gather reliable data on the short-term effects of rTMS, following established guidelines for controlled trials of migraine treatment. Participants will undergo rTMS treatment while their motor hotspot and threshold are determined, and their migraine frequency will be monitored. The study focuses on individuals experiencing frequent migraines to assess the potential benefits of this noninvasive technique.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new preventive treatment option for individuals suffering from frequent migraines.

How similar studies have gone: While there is limited data on rTMS for migraine prevention, this study aims to fill a gap in the current understanding and may provide new insights into its effectiveness.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Male or female, aged 18-65
* Migraine without aura, migraine with aura or chronic migraine according to the diagnostic criteria of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) - Age of onset before 50 years of age
* At least 4 migraine days in each of three subsequent 4- week periods preceding the screening period. (Subsequently, the investigators use month synonymous for 4-week periods)
* At least 4 migraine days during one month of baseline prior to treatment.
* Ability to distinguish migraine headaches from other headache types (e.g., tension-type headaches)
* Willing to adhere to the rTMS regimen and able to monitor MD in Migraine diary
* No changes in medication usage/regime for three months before the start of treatment (incl. use of acute abortion / rescue medication). In case of Erenumab, Fremanezumab, Galcanezumab no changes in usage/regime for six months before the start of treatment. Every medication is reported and documented.
* No changes in medication usage/regime during the entire study period (i.e., keeping acute intervention protocol as previously handled for the past three months; not introducing new approaches in intervention/ prevention during this time period (such as anti-nausea drugs not previously taken)). Every medication is reported \& documented.
* Use of a single drug for migraine prophylaxis is permitted as long as the dosage has not been altered within 3 months of starting the study and the dosage must not be altered for the entire duration of the study.
* No other stimulation techniques.
* No change in acupuncture, relaxation training, biofeedback, behavioral therapy or other psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions for three months preceding the study and during the entire study period investigator.
* Ability to read and understand the written information (patient information, migraine diary, CRF and Adverse Events (AE) collecting form)
* Completed baseline headache diary with missing data on not more than 5 of 28 days.

Exclusion criteria:

* More than 26 headache days in any of three subsequent months preceding the screening visit.
* More than 26 headache days during baseline
* Pregnant persons
* Usage of Onabotulinumtoxin A for managing chronic migraines.
* Medication-overuse according to ICHD-3
* Presence of metals or implanted devices that can be in close proximity the of device (i.e., above the neckline) and can be adversely affected by magnetic fields including:

  * Stents
  * Implanted stimulators
  * Implanted vagus nerve or brain implants incl. deep brain stimulators
  * Implanted electrical devices
  * Cochlear implants for hearing
  * Any magnetic implants
  * Bullet fragments
  * Grenade fragments
* Presence of heart pacemakers, defibrillator, intracardiac lines or medication pumps
* Known severe adverse reactions in response to rTMS
* Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, substance use disorders or psychosis
* Patients with a known medical history, as well as a family history, of seizures.
* Patients experiencing chronic sleep deprivation
* Patients with structural CNS disorders such as a brain tumor, stroke, or traumatic brain injury.
* Patients with chronic tinnitus in the judgement of the investigator
* Patients with other disorders interfering with the study in the judgement of the investigator.
* Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention until the end of the study
* Botulinum toxin-based infusions for cosmetic reasons at the forehead within a period of six months prior to study inclusion until the final visit.
* Other clinically relevant pain syndromes
* Depression or anxiety in the judgement of the investigator as assessed by means of BDI-II (score 20 or above) and DASS-21 (score 14 or above).
* Severe health risks in the judgement of the investigator. In particular this includes assessing the risk associated with a history of malignancy of any organ system (other than localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ cervical cancer), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases.

Where it's running

  • Univ.-Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Universität Wien
    Vienna, State of Vienna, Austria
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

  • HEADS Registry: Headache, Ear, Auditory, Dizziness, and Sinus</n> Registry

    This registry tests whether collecting online symptom reports from adults in the U.S. with sinus, vestibular, ear, or headache symptoms can help improve diagnosis and treatment.

    Recruiting Association of Migraine Disorders · North Kingstown, Rhode Island · NCT07754266

  • MMA Embolization for Migraine: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a Single Site

    This registry tests whether adults with migraine who have or plan to have middle meningeal artery embolization notice changes in headaches and quality of life over time.

    Recruiting Cortex Neurovascular · Tacoma, Washington · NCT07652034

  • Greater Occipital Nerve Block for Migraine with Medication Overuse Headache

    This study will test whether a nerve block using lidocaine and methylprednisolone can help people with migraine who overuse medications to reduce withdrawal headaches during detoxification.

    Recruiting at 2 sites Mahidol University · Bangkok, Bangkok and 2 other locations · NCT07568496

  • Closing a PFO to improve glymphatic function and migraine symptoms

    This study will see if closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) improves glymphatic system function and reduces migraine attacks in adults with PFO and migraine.

    Recruiting at 2 sites First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University · Luoyang, Henan and 1 other locations · NCT07170176

  • Italian Migraine Registry (I-GRAINE-NEW)

    This registry will collect past and future clinical and healthcare data from adults with episodic or chronic migraine who come to specialized headache centers in Italy to better understand how the condition evolves and is treated.

    Recruiting IRCCS San Raffaele Roma · Roma, Roma · NCT07163416

  • Topical cannabidiol (Canvert-M) for migraine attacks

    This will test whether applying Canvert-M, a topical roll-on with cannabidiol and essential oils, can reduce pain during migraine attacks in adults aged 18–55.

    Recruiting Phase 4 Alasht Pharmed · Tehran · NCT07093138

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.
Browse more
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.