Scientists zap healthy scalps to find the least painful brain stimulation settings

NCT ID NCT06354686

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Florida State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed study tested how much discomfort people feel when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is applied to different parts of the scalp and with different pulse patterns. Twenty healthy adults received TMS over six scalp locations and three stimulation types, rating their pain. The study also checked if the knee could be used as a safe practice spot for testing new TMS settings. The goal is to make future TMS treatments more tolerable.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help design more comfortable TMS treatments for conditions like depression.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early study in healthy people, so results may not apply to patients or predict real-world tolerability.

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

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States

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