Can zapping the brain boost coping skills? new study explores

NCT ID NCT07433829

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed pilot study tested whether a type of brain stimulation called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can temporarily change activity in the prefrontal cortex of 40 healthy adults. Participants received either real or sham stimulation, and researchers measured stress levels and coping strategies. The goal was to understand how brain stimulation might affect coping, which could inform future treatments for depression.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help researchers understand how brain stimulation changes brain activity and coping skills, potentially guiding future treatments for depression.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study in healthy people, not patients. It only measures immediate effects, so results may not apply to real-world mental health conditions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEALTH ADULT SUBJECTS

Contacts and locations

Locations

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, 九龙, China

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