Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as Treatment for Persistent PTSD in Texas Youth
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Summary
The purpose of this study is to test whether transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is an acceptable and helpful treatment for ongoing symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome disorder (PTSD) in 12-20 year olds. Ongoing PTSD refers to symptoms that continue after completing trauma-focused psychotherapy. About 1 in 4 patients need additional help to overcome PTSD after completing psychotherapy. Currently, scientists do not know the best way to help adolescents with persistent PTSD, and this study will test TMS as a possible treatment, and hopefully lead to future studies including more people.
Description
Trauma is a common occurrence among youth. Almost 60% of American youths experience a traumatic event before age 18, such as physical or sexual abuse, sudden loss of caregivers, or witnessing violence in the community or the home. Distress after a significantly traumatic event is to be expected, but for some youths, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linger for months or years, and can become chronic if left untreated. Symptoms of PTSD can include upsetting memories, avoidance of reminders, and emotional numbing, and other symptoms. These symptoms can create difficulties for fami…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12–20 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females; Age 12-20 2. Have previously completed at least 9 sessions of trauma-focused therapy in our clinical trial or in the community 3. Have current self-reported symptom score of 20 or greater on the UCLA PTSD Reaction index 4. Willing to attend 10 TMS treatment sessions within a 30-day period 5. Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of seizures 2. History of head injury with loss of consciousness and concussive sequelae 3. Brain abnormality such as tumor or other observable abnormality 4. Currently receiving psychotherapy or TMS treatment 5.…
Interventions
- DeviceMagPro R30 with robotic arm
TMS will be delivered to the right anterior dorsolateral frontal cortex. The accelerated protocol consists of 1,800 TMS pulses per session, delivered at intensity ranges designed to deliver depth-corrected E-fields of 80-95 volts/meter. The exact intensity will be determined when the participant's treatment plan is developed. Once a patient's TMS treatment plan has been created, it will be used for every treatment session for that participant.
Location
- UT Health Department of PsychiatrySan Antonio, Texas