Could magnetic pulses to the brain ease unexplained physical symptoms?
NCT ID NCT05161819
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce physical distress and health anxiety in people with somatic symptom disorder. Thirty adults aged 20–70 will receive either real or sham rTMS in a crossover design, meaning each person will try both. The goal is to see if this treatment can help when standard options haven't worked.
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-drug option to ease troubling physical symptoms and health worries for people with somatic symptom disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The sham control means some may not benefit, and rTMS can cause mild side effects like headache or scalp discomfort.
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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
-
National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch
RECRUITINGDouliu, Yunlin, 640, Taiwan
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