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Dosing rTMS for Depression After Spinal Cord Injury

This study is looking at how to best use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression in people who have had a spinal cord injury (SCI). rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that is already approved for depression. However, the usual way to set the dose for rTMS might not work well for people with SCI who have arm or hand weakness. This study aims to find a better way to dose rTMS for you. You may be able to join if you are 18-60 years old, have a cervical or thoracic SCI, and have major depressive disorder with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score above 18. The researchers will measure changes in your depression symptoms using the HAM-D17 scale to see if the treatment is successful. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 24 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 24 participants. It will compare active rTMS with sham rTMS.
What's involved
You will receive rTMS treatment over 6 weeks. Your depression symptoms will be measured at several points during and after this period.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your depression symptoms will be followed for 24 weeks after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05553353

Dosing rTMS for Depression Post-SCI

Recruiting
NAAges 18–60InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~24 participants
Updated 2026-01-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation--Activerepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation--Sham

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change from baseline in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAM-D17) score immediately post-intervention
Measured over Baseline; Following Week 2 of 6-week intervention Following Week 4 of 6-week intervention; Immediately post-intervention; 12-weeks post-intervention; 24-weeks post-intervention

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major

Explore related trials

Spinal Cord InjuryUnipolar Depression

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
South Carolina1

Study leadership

  • Catherine J VanDerwerker, PhD DPT PT · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC

Who to contact

Catherine J VanDerwerker, PhD DPT PT
[email protected]
(843) 792-5047
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury at least 6 months prior with AIS A, B, C, or D;
18 - 60 years of age;
major depressive disorder, as identified by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V;
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score \> 18;
not taking antidepressant medications or no change in doses of psychotropic medication(s) for at least 4 weeks before the study (6 weeks if newly initiated medication)

Exclusion

concomitant neurologic diseases/disorders or dementia;
cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment \<17);
history of psychosis or other Axis I disorder that is primary;
positive screen for bipolar disorder through the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview;
history of claustrophobia;
life expectancy \<1 year;
electronic or metallic implants (i.e., metal in the head, cochlear implant, or pacemaker;
history of seizures or currently prescribed anti-seizure medications;
taking medication that increases the risk of seizures;
pregnancy as identified through a positive urine pregnancy test;
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 question #3 regarding suicide: \>2 or suicide attempt within the previous two years;
inability to (University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent) or declined to give informed consent.

What this trial measures

  • Change from baseline in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAM-D17) score immediately post-interventionBaseline; Following Week 2 of 6-week intervention Following Week 4 of 6-week intervention; Immediately post-intervention; 12-weeks post-intervention; 24-weeks post-intervention

    The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) is the most widely used tool to assess the severity of depressive symptoms, once diagnosed, and will be used in this study. The HAM-D17 is a semi-structured interview style questionnaire that asks about one's experience with seventeen different depressive symptoms over the past week. Total HAM-D17 scores range from no depressive symptoms (HAM-D17 = 0-7); mild (HAM-D17 = 8-16), moderate (HAM-D17 = 17-23) or severe depressive symptoms (HAMD-D17 = 24).