Scientists zap healthy scalps to find the least painful brain stimulation settings
NCT ID NCT06354686
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026 · Updated 3 times
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.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: 1. Adults ages 18 years and older. 2. Capable to give informed written consent, ability to understand study procedures, and ability to comply with procedures for the entire length of the study. 3. Individuals with and without prior exposure to TMS are eligible (including individuals who have received TMS to treat depression). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Medical contraindication for neuromodulation (e.g., ferrous metal in head, seizure disorder, brain tumor, stroke, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, etc.). 2. Contraindication for scalp sensitivity and tolerability testing (e.g., sunburn, active headache, history of frequent and severe headaches). 3. Contraindication for knee sensitivity and tolerability testing (e.g., current knee injury or ongoing complications from prior history of knee surgery), unless knee testing skipped at the investigators' discretion. 4. Contraindication for participants with metal in both knees, unless knee testing skipped at the investigators' discretion. 5. Active substance use disorder in last 3 months or any current substance use that puts the participant at increased risk or significant impairment 6. Dementia or other cognitive disorder making unable to engage in study. 7. Any history or diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder or other psychotic illness. 8. Taking any medication that significantly lowers the seizure threshold (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, clozapine, etc.). 9. Any medication or substance use that significantly impacts sensory and tolerability measures based on the investigators' review of dosing and effect (e.g., topical anesthetics, botulinum toxin injections, ketamine, NSAIDS, opioids, anticonvulsants used in pain management, etc.). 10. Current, planned, or suspected pregnancy. 11. Unstable medical conditions or any current medical condition that could preclude being able to safely participate in TMS treatment (e.g., unstable metabolic abnormality, unstable angina, etc.). 12. Significant ongoing litigation or claims that impact research activities, as determined by the research study team. (Research may especially be impacted when mental health or pain is being evaluated for litigation or claims, such as civil and criminal cases, disability claims and worker's compensation). The investigators will exclude the following individuals: * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Pregnant women * Prisoners
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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
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States
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