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Brain zaps and therapy: a new combo to tame BPD emotions

NCT ID NCT07714005

Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with a short emotion regulation training program can help people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) better manage their emotions. TMS aims to improve brain circuits involved in emotion control, while the training teaches practical skills. The trial enrolls 12 adults with BPD and high emotional dysregulation to see if the combo is feasible and satisfying.

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) and emotion regulation skills training
What this could lead to
If successful, this combined approach could offer a faster, more effective way to help people with BPD gain better control over their emotions, potentially reducing dropout from therapy and improving daily functioning.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The TMS procedure can cause discomfort or headache, and the brief training may not be enough for some individuals.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 12 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Aug 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

22 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-5 diagnosis of borderline personality disorder; * Clinical levels of emotion dysregulation as determined by a score ≥ 80 on the DERS; * Male and female sex as assigned at birth; * ages 22-65; * able to provide informed consent and provide verifiable contact information; * stable medication regimen. Exclusion Criteria: * current active suicidality (suicidal ideation with intent or plan) * current substance use disorder for the past 6 months (substance use disorder in remission permitted); * history of psychosis; * dementia or other major neurological disorders * medical illness or non-psychiatric medical treatment that would likely interfere with study participation; * contraindications for MRI or TMS, including the presence of metallic implants that would interfere with safety (i.e. cardiac pacemaker, metal plates, non-removable body piercings, etc.), history of seizure disorder, history of head trauma; * a clinical course of a neuromodulatory therapy (e.g. TMS, tDCS, ECT) within the past 6 months; * current use of benzodiazepines (can interfere with iTBS stimulation); * current pregnancy, to limit potential risks to an unborn child; * concurrent participation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) during participation ER-skills training portion of study. * non-English speaking (ER skills training delivered in English only)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

borderline personality disorder Emotional Regulation

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

How to take part

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  1. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

    Open the record ↗

  2. A doctor treating you

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