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Brain Stimulation for Depression and Chronic Pain

This study is looking at how brain stimulation, called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) or intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), might help people with both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and chronic pain. Researchers want to see if stimulating specific areas of the brain can reduce symptoms of depression and pain. You would receive 30 treatments of blinded brain stimulation, meaning you wouldn't know if you're getting active treatment for depression and sham (inactive) treatment for pain, or active treatment for both depression and pain. The study aims to measure changes in your depression and pain scores over about 6 weeks. To join, you need to be 18-75 years old, right-handed, speak English, and have a confirmed diagnosis of moderate MDD. The study plans to enroll 54 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 54 participants. All participants will receive some form of active brain stimulation treatment.
What's involved
You would complete surveys, have 2 blood draws, 2 MRIs, 3 electroencephalograms (EEGs), and receive 30 brain stimulation treatments. This involves 30-33 study visits and about 40 hours of your time.
Compensation
You will receive $150 for completing all study activities.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes, changes in depression and pain scores, are measured through study completion, an average of 6 weeks.

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NCT04556890

Pain and Major Depressive Disorder

Recruiting
NAAges 18–75InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~54 participants
Updated 2026-08-11 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Active rTMS/Active iTBS DFPLC/Sham Pain M1Active rTMS/Active iTBS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Percent change in depression scores
Measured over Through study completion, an average of 6 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder
Chronic Pain

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Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Who to contact

Doan Ngo, BS
[email protected]
310-825-7797
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

All Subjects must be between 18-75 years of age
Language: Participants must speak English fluently, as demonstrated by verbal skills sufficient to answer questions at a level that assures adequate understanding of the study
Must have confirmed diagnosis of moderate Major Depressive Disorder (single or recurrent episode), minimum score of 17 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17). No minimal MDD duration necessary for study participation
Failure to respond to a minimum of 2 trials of antidepressant medication
Failure to respond from at least two different agent classes
Accompanied by at least two evidence-based augmentation therapies (Benzodiazepines do not count)
Must have a trial of psychotherapy known to be effective in the treatment of MDD of an adequate frequency and duration\*
Must have a confirmed FM or ME/CFS diagnoses and moderate pain complaints, minimum score of 15 on the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
Pain chronicity for at least 3 months prior to study enrollment.
Subjects are willing and able to adhere to the treatment schedule and required study visits.

Exclusion

Are mentally or legally incapacitated, unable to give informed consent.
Are pregnant.
Have an active suicidal intent or plan.
Have had prior Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment.
Have an infection or poor skin condition over the scalp where the device will be positioned.
Have increased risk of seizure because of family history, stroke, or currently use medications that lead to increased risk for seizure.
Psychotic depression or other acute or chronic psychotic symptoms or disorders (such as schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder) in the current depressive episode.
Neurological conditions that include epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, increased intracranial pressure, having a history of repetitive or severe head trauma, or with primary or secondary tumors in the central nervous system.
Presence of an implanted metallic and magnetic-sensitive medical device present in the body scan, including but not limited to a cochlear implant, infusion pump, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, aneurysm clip, metal prosthesis, or metal aneurysm clips or coils, staples, or stents. (Note: Dental amalgam fillings are not affected by the magnetic field and are acceptable for use with transcranial magnetic stimulation and MRI)

What this trial measures

  • Percent change in depression scoresThrough study completion, an average of 6 weeks

    Inventory of Depressive symptoms- Self (IDS-SR) scores will be analyzed as the primary outcome measure. The IDS-SR is a 30-item scale that measures various symptoms of depression. Each item is scored between 0-4. Severity of depression is associated with a higher score with scores ranging from 0 to 84.

  • Percent change in pain scoreThrough study completion, an average of 6 weeks

    McGill Pain questionnaire (MPQ) will be analyzed as the secondary outcome. MPQ is a self-reporting measure of pain used for patients with a number of diagnoses. It assesses both quality and intensity of subjective pain and effectiveness of an intervention. Scoring ranges from 0 to 78. A higher score is associated with greater pain.