Can the timing of maintenance brain stimulation keep depression away longer?

NCT ID NCT07727005

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Technical University of Munich Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether the schedule of maintenance transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects the risk of depression relapse. Adults who responded to an initial course of theta burst stimulation are randomly assigned to receive 20 maintenance sessions either clustered together or spread out over 20 weeks. Researchers track depressive symptoms and relapse over 24 weeks to see which schedule better preserves the 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) using intermittent theta burst stimulation
What this could lead to: If one schedule works better, it could offer a more effective way to keep depression from returning after successful brain stimulation treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-sized trial comparing two maintenance schedules, not a new treatment. The results may not apply to everyone with depression, and some people may still relapse.

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 DEPRESSIVE EPISODES are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSIVE EPISODES DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

TUM Universitiy Hospital, Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Munich, Bavaria, 81675, Germany

More trials for these conditions

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