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

NCT ID NCT06354686

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.

Disclaimer Read more

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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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Florida State University

    Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States