Theta Burst Stimulation for Gambling Disorder

Launched by TAIPEI CITY HOSPITAL · May 14, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called theta burst stimulation to see if it can help people with gambling disorder. Gambling disorder is a condition where someone has trouble controlling their gambling, which can lead to serious problems in their life. The goal of the trial is to compare the gambling issues of two groups: one receiving the actual treatment and another receiving a placebo (a "sham" treatment that looks like the real one but doesn't have any therapeutic effect). Participants will complete questionnaires to report how severe their gambling problems are after two weeks of treatment.

To take part in this study, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old and must meet specific criteria for gambling disorder as outlined in a manual used by mental health professionals. However, some people may not be eligible if they have certain serious mental health conditions, unstable medical issues, or other health factors that could interfere with the study. Those who join can expect to receive either the theta burst stimulation treatment or the sham treatment and will be asked to share their experiences through questionnaires. The trial is currently looking for participants, and it's an important step in understanding how this new treatment might help those struggling with gambling issues.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. age between 18 and 65 years;
• • 2. fulfilling at least 4 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version 5 (DSM-5) criteria of gambling disorder for at least 12-month assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Inability to provide informed consent or comprehend the study procedure;
• • 2. A major psychiatric illness that required chronic psychotropic medication or inpatient treatment, including schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar spectrum disorder, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
• • 3. A current DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder except nicotine use disorder or the use of one to two low-potency benzodiazepine tablets for sleep impairment;
• • 4. Have known preexisting noise-induced hearing loss, concurrent treatment with ototoxic medications, or with cochlear implants.
• • 5. Unstable medical illness, including malignancy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, unstable cardiac disease or recent myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular or cardiovascular risk factors that require intensive medical management
• • 6. On medications known to lower seizure threshold (e.g., TCA, bupropion, clozapine)
• • 7. Implants controlled by physiological signals, including pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cochlear implant.
• • 8. Metallic objects in the head, including stenting, suture.
• • 9. Elevated risk of seizure due to traumatic brain history, seizure history, and head trauma, intracranial lesion, and alcohol or benzodiazepines withdrawal syndrome, stimulant intoxication.