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Brain zaps and mindfulness: a new hope for veterans in pain?

NCT ID NCT05427201

Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with a type of talk therapy called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help veterans who have both chronic pain and depression. The goal is to see if this integrated approach is feasible and can improve how well participants function in daily life. The trial enrolls veterans with long-term pain and major depression, and also uses brain-wave monitoring to look for signs of treatment response.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could offer a new, non-drug way to improve daily functioning for veterans suffering from both chronic pain and depression.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early feasibility study with only 31 participants, so results may not apply widely. The combination therapy may prove no better than existing treatments.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

31 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

May 2023

Finished

May 2025

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a chronic, non-terminal pain condition (pain most days for at least 6 months) * Average pain intensity and interference with enjoyment of life and/or general activity rated \> 4/10 over the past week, as measured by the PEG * Meet clinical criteria for major depression via DSM5 criteria, as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Exclusion Criteria: * Serious or unstable medical illness (e.g., cardiovascular disease) * Lifetime history of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder * Active substance abuse or psychosocial instability (e.g., homelessness) that could compromise study participation * Changes to professionally delivered pain or mood treatment (e.g., no discontinuation of a treatment; no increasing the dose of medication) one month preceding the baseline assessment * Significant neurologic disorder, increased risk of seizure for any reason or family/personal history of seizure * Contraindications to rTMS treatment as outlined by the Safety of TMS Consensus group, which includes implanted metallic objects above the neck, implanted electrical devices (pacemakers/spinal cord stimulators), and pregnancy * Prior trial of rTMS for any condition and/or lack of responsiveness to electroconvulsive therapy

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Chronic pain Depression

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

    San Diego, California, 92161-0002, United States

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