Zapping PTSD: new brain stimulation trial aims to ease trauma symptoms
NCT ID NCT07644338
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small early study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called temporal interference (TI) can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in 5 adults. Participants will receive TI stimulation and have their brain activity measured with MRI, MEG, and EEG. The goal is to see if symptoms improve and how the brain responds.
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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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About 5 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 to 50 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 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. Age 18-50 years, male or female 2. Diagnosis of PTSD per DSM-5 (assessed by CAPS-5), with symptom duration of at least 3 months, and PTSD as the current primary diagnosis; comorbid depressive disorder or anxiety disorder is allowed 3. If currently receiving psychiatric medication, the dosage must be stable for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment 4. At least 9 years of education (junior high school or above) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any DSM-5 diagnosis other than PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder 2. PTSD symptoms too severe to complete required assessments 3. Received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) within the past 6 months 4. Received any other form of neuromodulation within the past 2 months (see Item 3 for ECT) 5. Severe medical illness or any condition that may induce seizures or intracranial hypertension (e.g., cardiovascular or respiratory diseases) 6. History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident) or brain injury/surgery 7. Presence of intracranial stents, cardiac pacemakers, coronary stents, cochlear implants, or any other MRI-incompatible implants 8. Current significant suicidal behavior risk per investigator judgment 9. Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the study period 10. Initiation of structured psychotherapy for PTSD within 3 months prior to screening, with expected change during the 10-week treatment period
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shanghai Mental Health Center
RECRUITINGShanghai, 200030, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can talk therapies quiet the trauma of violence?
- Could pausing psychiatric pills boost PTSD therapy?
- Can emotional patterns reveal the true nature of teen trauma?
- Beta-Blocker may rewrite traumatic memories in PTSD
- Zapping the Brain's fear hub: a new hope for PTSD?