Magnetic brain zaps may quiet anxiety: device trial puts it to the test

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

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 22 years * A diagnosis of GAD according to DSM-5 criteria, confirmed by a qualified clinician at screening * Ability to determine the motor threshold of the participant. The participant's motor threshold could be established as the minimum stimulus required to induce contraction of the right thumb * Subjects willing and able to abstain from partaking in any treatments other than the pre-procedure therapy regime for the treatment of anxiety, including non-invasive brain stimulation treatments other than the study procedure during study participation * Willingness to comply with study instructions and to return to the clinic for the required visits * Women of child-bearing potential\* are required to use birth control measures during the whole duration of the study * If applicable, subjects must be maintained on their pre-study psychotherapeutic regimen and any prescribed chronic medications at a stable therapeutic dose for ≥4 weeks prior to enrollment, with no dose or usage frequency changes permitted during the study * Women of childbearing potential are defined as any female who has experienced menarche and who is NOT permanently sterile or postmenopausal. Postmenopausal is defined as 12 consecutive months with no menses without an alternative medical cause. Exclusion Criteria: * Metallic objects in or near the head rTMS devices are contraindicated for use in patients who have conductive, ferromagnetic or other magnetic-sensitive metals implanted in their head or within 12 in (30 cm) of the treatment coil.\* * Implanted stimulator devices * Active or inactive implants (including device leads), including deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants, ocular implants and vagus nerve stimulators. Contraindicated use could result in serious injury or death. * Drug pumps * Application in the heart area * Persons with a tendency to seizure (e.g., persons suffering from hypotonia and epilepsy) * Anticoagulation therapy * Severe or life-threatening condition * Pulmonary insufficiency * Heart disorders * Renal insufficiency * Decompensated\*\* hemorrhagic conditions * Decompensated\*\* blood coagulation disorders * Decompensated\*\* cardiovascular diseases * Malignant tumor or benign tumor * Fever * Pregnancy * Active suicidal intent\*\*\* * History of suicide attempts in the last 3 years * History or concurrent use of electroconvulsive therapy or vagus nerve stimulation * Substance-induced depression or depression secondary to a general medical condition * Seasonal affective disorder * Substance abuse * Substance dependence 3 months prior * A psychotic disorder including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disease, borderline personality disorder or major depression with psychotic features * Neurological disorders, including a history of seizures, cerebrovascular disease, primary or secondary tumors in CNS, cerebral aneurysm, dementia, or movement disorders * Ongoing intake disorders such as bulimia or anorexia, or intake disorder in the past fiscal year * History of increased intracranial pressure or head trauma * Nursing * Any other disease or condition at the investigator's discretion that may pose risk to the patient or compromise the study * Examples include cochlear implants, implanted electrodes/stimulators, aneurysm clips or coils, stents, bullet fragments, jewelry and hair barrettes. Failure to follow this restriction could result in serious injury or death. Certain exceptions apply to mouth implants, such as standard amalgam dental fillings, single post dental implants, dental bridge work, and braces. If these items are present, the therapy can still be administered. * By means of decompensation, it means a patient with a proven medical history of a decompensated health condition and long-term medication. Patients who use certain medications only for preventive purposes, without any proven previous health condition failure, are not considered contraindicated. * Defined by a score of Level 4 or Level 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS).