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Pilot Study of TMS and Episodic Future Thinking for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

This study is looking at whether a combination of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) can help people with methamphetamine use disorder. rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. EFT is a behavioral therapy where you imagine positive future events not related to drug use. Researchers want to see if this combination, compared to a sham (inactive) rTMS with EFT, can reduce how much people value immediate rewards over future ones (delay discounting) and lower their desire for methamphetamine. They will also look at how vividly people imagine these future events. You may be able to join if you are 18-65 years old, have a methamphetamine use disorder, and are fluent in English. The study plans to enroll 20 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing two groups: one receiving active rTMS plus EFT, and another receiving sham rTMS plus EFT. It plans to enroll 20 participants.
What's involved
Participants will undergo TMS and EFT training. Researchers will assess delay discounting and methamphetamine demand before and after treatment, and at a 7-day follow-up.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed up 7 days after the TMS+EFT treatment.

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

NCT06712446

A Pilot Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Plus Episodic Future Thinking for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalBasic science
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
~20 participants
Updated 2026-03-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:EFThigh frequency rTMSsham frequency rTMS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Rate of delay discounting as assessed by the 5-Trial adjusting Delay Discounting Task
Measured over before TMS+EFT, after TMS+EFT, 7-day follow-up
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Explore related trials

Amphetamine-induced organic mental disorder

NCT06712446

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texasstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Heather Webber, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Who to contact

Heather Webber, PhD
[email protected]
713-486-2723
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for primary methamphetamine use disorder
Be fluent in English and able to understand the consent form

Exclusion

Current DSM-5 diagnosis for any illicit substance use disorder other than methamphetamine and marijuana
Current DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate or greater severity for alcohol and marijuana use disorder
In the opinion of the PI, the presence of any medical, neurological, psychiatric (e.g., psychotic or bipolar disorder), or physical condition, disease, or illness that, may: (a) compromise, interfere, limit, effect or reduce the subject's ability to complete the study; or (b) adversely impact the safety of the subject or the integrity of the data
Has current or recent (within 3 months of potential enrollment) suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, homicidal ideation or a homicidal plan sufficient to raise subject safety concerns based on the following assessments according to the PI:
Medical implants contraindicating TMS (i.e., aneurysm clips or coils, stents, implanted stimulators, implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators, implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers or medication pumps, electrodes for monitoring brain activity, cochlear implants for hearing, any magnetic implants, bullet fragments, any other metal device or object implanted in your body closer than 30 cm from the coil)
History of brain surgery
History of an intracranial lesion or any medical or neurological diagnosis/condition associated with increased intracranial pressure (i.e., Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension/Pseudotumor Cerebri) OR any of the following symptoms within 30 days of enrollment: headaches \> 15 days/month, loss of vision or decreased vision
Moderate-to-severe heart disease
History of stroke
Is taking any antidepressant or antipsychotic medication at a dose above the maximum recommended dose or at a dose deemed to be potentially unsafe according to the PI; has taken any of the following medications, which are known to increase the risk of seizures, within 1 week of study enrollment; or does not agree to abstain from taking the following medications during study participation:
Personal history of epilepsy or seizure disorder and/or family history including a first-degree relative
Serious head injury with loss of consciousness
Impending incarceration
Pregnant or nursing females
Inability to read, write, or speak English
For adolescent aged participants (18-21 only): any risk factor for neurocardiogenic syncope (history of syncope/presyncope related to noxious stimuli, anxiety, micturition, or posture)

What this trial measures

  • Rate of delay discounting as assessed by the 5-Trial adjusting Delay Discounting Taskbefore TMS+EFT, after TMS+EFT, 7-day follow-up

    This 5 item questionnaire measures the extent to which participants devalue a reward as the delay to its receipt increases.This task presents choices between $500 now vs. $1,000 after a delay.The discount rate k quantifies how rapidly the value of a delayed reward decreases with time.Low k Indicates patience or low impulsivity - greater willingness to wait for larger rewards.High k Indicates impatience or high impulsivity - preference for immediate rewards over delayed ones.

  • Change in MA Demand as assessed by the Drug Purchasing Taskbefore TMS+EFT, after TMS+EFT, 7-day follow-up

    MA demand will be assessed by asking participants how many grams of MA they would purchase to use over the course of a weekend (Friday night to Sunday night) as a function of increasing price ($0 to $10000) Demand is the maximum quantity of Methamphetamine consumed if the drug was free measured in grams or dollar amount

  • EFT Vividness as assessed by the Vividness Scalemeasured during EFT training on study day 1

    This is a single item questionnaire and is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1(not vivid at all) to 5( extremely vivid) for a maximum score of 5, higher score indicating more vivid outcome

  • EFT Engagement as assessed by the Engagement Scale7-day follow-up

    This is a single item questionnaire and is scored on a 4-point Likert scale 1-4 asking how often each individual engaged in EFT (i.e., every day, most days, some days, no days), higher score indicating more engagement