Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Paired with Augmented Reality to Alter Concussion Symptoms

Launched by MCMASTER UNIVERSITY · Dec 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help people who have ongoing dizziness after a concussion, often called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The researchers want to find out if a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), used alongside balance training with augmented reality glasses, can reduce dizziness symptoms. They will compare results from participants receiving real rTMS to those receiving a sham (or fake) treatment to ensure any improvements are due to the actual therapy and not just a placebo effect.

To be eligible for the study, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old and have been diagnosed with mTBI, confirmed by a doctor. They should have experienced dizziness for more than three months after their injury and be able to understand spoken and written English. During the 14-day treatment period over three weeks, participants will receive rTMS aimed at a specific area of the brain that helps with movement while engaging with digital objects using the augmented reality glasses. It's important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions or who have had specific imaging results will not be able to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female aged 18-65 years
• • Diagnosis of mTBI according to the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Diagnostic Criteria (Silverberg et al., 2023). All participants have diagnosis confirmed with Dr. Rathbone before enrollment.
• • Persistent dizziness beyond 3-months following the initial head injury.
• • Comprehension of spoken and written English language or have a language interpreter present for all study visits.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of chronic dizziness unrelated to concussive events.
• • Contraindications to TMS: presence of pacemaker, metal/electrical/magnetic implants not including titanium, known history of untreated or uncontrolled psychological disorders, pregnancy, history of seizure or diagnoses of epilepsy, taking medications that increase the risk of seizure.
• • Inability to continue current medical therapies for the duration of the study.
• • If imaging was done at the time of injury, individuals with a positive CT head will be excluded from the study