NCT05988619

iCBT With TMS in Patients With MDD

Combined Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mental health diagnosis. While there are many approaches to the treatment of MDD, current treatments of MDD often do not substantially reduce depressive symptoms among those in need of care. Prior research suggests that combining cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychopharmacology can produce optimal treatment outcomes compared to the use of either treatment individually. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is one promising brain stimulation approach used to treat MDD, especially among patients with treatment-resistant symptoms. Like psychopharmacological interventions, TMS may produce optimal treatment outcomes when paired with CBT. However, standard TMS protocols are time-intensive, typically requiring daily doctor visits for one hour of six to eight weeks. Therefore, an internet-delivered CBT protocol may augment the effects of TMS without substantially increasing patient burden. To that end, the present study assesses if a combined TMS and internet-delivered CBT protocol may produce superior treatment outcomes compared with TMS alone.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation	TMS is a noninvasive method of brain stimulation administered by physicians in the UCLA TMS Clinical and Research Service. It is an FDA-approved treatment for Major Depressive Disorder.
BEHAVIORAL	Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy	This Way Up is an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for depression and anxiety. Participants learn about depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as behavioral strategies for addressing these symptoms. Participants are provided with homework exercises designed to help them engage in these strategies regularly.
BEHAVIORAL	Psychoeducation	Stories of the Mind is an educational program that is freely available through the Public Broadcast Service (PBS). Participants view video testimonials in which individuals describe their personal experiences across a variety of mental health concerns.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-03-21
• Primary completion: 2024-09-07
• Completion: 2024-09-07
• First posted: 2023-08-14
• Last updated: 2025-10-29
• Results posted: 2025-10-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study