Can a magnetic helmet curb alcohol cravings in veterans?

NCT ID NCT03191266

Completed Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could help veterans with alcohol use disorder stay sober for six months. Forty-nine veterans who were already in treatment received either real or sham rTMS. Researchers then tracked their alcohol use monthly to see if the stimulation improved abstinence rates.

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)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-invasive, safe treatment option to help veterans with alcohol use disorder maintain long-term sobriety.
What could go wrong: This was a small, early-stage study with only 49 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment may not be more effective than a placebo, and long-term benefits are uncertain.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ALCOHOL USE DISORDER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto, California, 94304-1207, United States

More trials for these conditions

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