Optimizing the Timing of rTMS to Enhance the Administration of Insomnia Treatment

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Insomnia

In brief

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown to be a promising technique for improving insomnia symptoms and sleep quality. However, the impact of circadian rhythmicity on rTMS sessions and its potential influence on insomnia therapy remains unclear. Moreover, the effect of rTMS on objective sleep parameters is not fully established. The objective of this pilot study is to establish key feasibility and preliminary data that would be used for an R-level grant application focused on optimizing rTMS therapy for insomnia. The investigators will acquire feasibility data from ten adults with Insomnia disorder. Participants will receive ten sessions rTMS over two weeks, either in the morning or evening. Sleep parameters will be assessed before, during, and after completion of rTMS and brain cortical excitability will be collected before rTMS treatment. The investigators aim to 1) evaluate the impact of circadian timing of rTMS sessions on subjective and objective sleep outcomes, 2) assess the time course of improvements in sleep outcomes, and 3) examine the association between sleep outcomes and cortical excitability. The overarching goal of this work is to optimize rTMS therapy for insomnia by investigating the impact of circadian timing on rTMS sessions and assessing potential variations in subjective and objective measures of sleep.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06656533
Run by: Stanford University
People needed: 10
Starts: 2025-03-01
Expected to finish: 2026-09-30
Last updated by the study team: 2026-04-23

Who can join

Age: 25 and older, up to 45. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Males and females of any racial or ethnic group, aged 25-45 (inclusive)
Insomnia diagnosis via the DUKE
Fluent and literate in English
Written, informed consent
Reside within 60 miles of Stanford University

You may not qualify if…

Presence of other sleep or circadian rhythm disorders that significantly contribute to their sleep disturbance. The presence of these disorders will be assessed by the DUKE structured interview for sleep disorders.
No regular use of benzodiazepine, opiate, thyroid, anticonvulsant or antipsychotic medications
Use of psychotropic medications that would significantly impact sleep, alertness, and no illicit drugs.
Excessive alcohol consumption (\>14 drinks per week or \> 4 drinks per occasion)
Presence of suicidal ideations representing elevated risk as determined by the Beck Depression Inventory (score of \> 0 on BDI question #9).
History of neurological or cardiovascular disorders, brain surgery, electroconvulsive or radiation treatment, brain hemorrhage or tumor, stroke, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, head trauma with loss of consciousness greater than thirty minutes.
Substance abuse or dependence
History of significant head trauma followed by persistent neurologic deficits or known structural brain abnormalities OR traumatic brain injury in the past two months
Severe impediment to vision, hearing and/or hand movement, likely to interfere with the ability to complete the assessments, or are unable and/or unlikely to follow the study protocols
Pregnant or breast feeding
Current or lifetime history of bipolar disorder, PTSD or psychosis or current depression
Received cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia within the past year
Current exposure to trauma, or exposure to trauma within the past 3 months
Working a rotating shift that overlaps with 2400h
Individuals who were high risk for sleep apnea on the Berlin Questionnaire and are not CPAP adherent
Participants with a current psychiatric disorder who are also on medications that significantly increase the risk of seizure. The antidepressants clomipramine, bupropion, maprotiline will be excluded because they are known to increase risk of up to 0.5-2.2% from a population reference range of 0.07- 0.08% in the general population and 0.1-4% in the population of people taking antidepressants.

Where it is running

1070 Arastradero Road — Palo Alto, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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