Could a magnet lift the mood of cancer survivors? small trial tests rTMS for depression and anxiety
NCT ID NCT01701284
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a non-invasive device that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain (rTMS) could safely help cancer survivors with depression and anxiety. Twenty-four adults who had been treated for any type of cancer and still had major depression received either fast or slow rTMS over six weeks. The goal was to see if symptoms improved and if the treatment was well tolerated, with no drug interactions or systemic side effects.
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) device
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer cancer survivors a drug-free option to ease depression and anxiety without side effects or drug interactions.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 24 people, no placebo group, and it's already completed. Results may not apply to all cancer patients, and the treatment may not work better than existing options.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States