Can a faster brain stimulation schedule beat the standard for depression?

NCT ID NCT07768397

First seen Aug 17, 2026 ยท Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Summary

This clinical trial is testing whether a faster, more intensive schedule of a brain stimulation treatment called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) works better than the standard schedule for adults with major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either accelerated iTBS (45 sessions over about 15 days) or standard iTBS (20 sessions over 4 weeks), in addition to their usual antidepressant medication. The main goal is to compare changes in depressive symptoms, measured by a standard rating scale, from the start to the end of treatment. The study will also look at other outcomes like cognitive function, quality of life, sleep, and safety.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only โ€” not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, delivered in either an accelerated schedule (45 sessions over 15 days) or a standard schedule (20 sessions over 4 weeks), alongside usual antidepressant medication.
What this could lead to
If accelerated iTBS works better or works faster than the standard schedule, it could offer a quicker, more efficient treatment option for people with major depressive disorder.
What could go wrong
This is a mid-sized trial (80 people), and results may not apply to everyone. The accelerated schedule is more intensive, which could lead to more side effects or discomfort, and it's not yet known if it will prove more effective than the standard approach.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Military Hospital 175

    Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.