Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Help People Quit Smoking

Efficacy of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Smoking Cessation, Combining Withdrawal Stimulations Followed by Maintenance Stimulations to Prevent Relapse: a Single-center, Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Pilot Study

This study is testing whether Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can help people who want to quit smoking by reducing their cravings and preventing them from going back to smoking.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 88 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Dijon)
• Trial ID: NCT05152810 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in aiding smoking cessation by targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPC), which is linked to cravings and relapse. Participants who have previously attempted to quit smoking will receive TMS sessions aimed at reducing cravings and preventing relapse. The study aims to provide a novel approach to smoking cessation beyond traditional nicotine replacement therapies. By combining withdrawal stimulation with maintenance stimulation, the study seeks to enhance long-term abstinence rates among smokers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who have a smoking disorder and have previously failed at least one smoking cessation treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who have been abstinent for the past three months or have a substance use disorder may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve smoking cessation rates and reduce relapse among smokers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using TMS for smoking cessation have shown promise, indicating potential for success with this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient who has given oral consent
* Adult patient
* Patient who wants to quit smoking
* Patient with a smoking disorder (DSM-5 criteria)
* Patient with at least 1 previous failed smoking cessation treatment with recommended medications (nicotine, vareniciline, or bupropion)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient not affiliated to the national health insurance system
* Patient subject to a measure of legal protection (curatorship, guardianship)
* Pregnant or breast-feeding woman
* Patient of childbearing age with a positive pregnancy test at inclusion
* Patients of legal age who are unable to express their consent
* Patient abstinent in the previous 3 months
* Patient with a substance use disorder (DSM-5 criteria)
* Patient with a contraindication to TMS: personal history of seizure, pacemaker, neurosurgical clips, carotid or aortic clips, heart valves, hearing aids, ventricular shunt valves, sutures with wires or staples, foreign bodies in the eye, shrapnel, other prosthesis or cephalic ferromagnetic material
* Patient employed in the addictology department of the CHU of Dijon (department of the principal investigator)
* Patient with severe depression, defined by a score greater than or equal to 24 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
* Patient having had a recent change (\< 1 month) in the prescription of a psychotropic treatment
* Patients with severe and/or chronic psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, paranoia, and bipolar disorder types I and II
* Patients with severe heart, kidney, liver or lung failure or other conditions that could compromise the patient's participation in the study in the opinion of the physician
* Patient concurrently participating in another therapeutic trial
* Patient who has already participated in a transcranial magnetic stimulation session

Where this trial is running

Dijon

• Chu Dijon Bourgogne — Dijon, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Benoit TROJAK

Conditions: Smoking Cessation