Efficacy and Safety of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Expressive Writing for Post-Traumatic Stress

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Healthy Adults

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a combined treatment using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and expressive writing works to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress in adults. It will also study how safe this treatment is and whether the timing of rTMS changes how well it works. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does this combined treatment lower symptoms of post-traumatic stress? * Does it work better when rTMS is given before or after expressive writing? Researchers will compare three groups to see which approach works best: * rTMS given before expressive writing * rTMS given after expressive writing * Sham stimulation (a look-alike procedure that does not provide real stimulation) Participants will: * Take part in sessions that include expressive writing about emotional experiences * Receive either real rTMS or sham stimulation * Complete questionnaires about post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and mood * Have their heart rate and skin responses measured during the sessions * Be assessed before the study, after the sessions, and one month later This study includes adults aged 18 to 65 who have experienced at least one traumatic or highly stressful event and report symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07567261

Run by

Servicio Canario de Salud

People needed

45

Starts

2026-06-01

Expected to finish

2027-02-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-05

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Be between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Have experienced at least one traumatic or highly stressful event, regardless of how much time has passed since the event occurred.
• Present a score ≥ 24 on the Revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R).
• Have post-traumatic stress symptoms that are not better explained by another clinical condition or mental disorder.

You may not qualify if…

• History of epilepsy, seizures, or convulsions.
• Presence of intracranial or cranial metal incompatible with rTMS.
• History of severe traumatic brain injury.
• Pregnancy or reasonable possibility of pregnancy.
• Cochlear implants or internal pulse generators.
• Use of medication that lowers the seizure threshold.
• Current suicidal ideation or behaviour, or recent suicidal ideation within the past month.
• Other medical or psychiatric conditions that contraindicate the use of rTMS.
• Any condition that prevents participation in any of the study interventions.
• Currently receiving psychological and/or pharmacological treatment for PTSD, acute stress, or another disorder that could account for post-traumatic stress symptoms.
• Failure to provide written informed consent.

Where it is running

• Instituto Universitario de Neurociencias (IUNE) de la Universidad de La Laguna (ULL) — San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
• Servicio de Evaluación del Servicio Canario de Salud — Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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