The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether two forms of one-day accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can reduce depressive symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant depression. Treatment-resistant depression is depression that has not improved enough after at least two adequate antidepressant medication treatments. TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Does continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the precuneus reduce depressive symptoms 4 weeks after treatment compared with sham stimulation? * Does intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduce depressive symptoms 4 weeks after treatment compared with sham stimulation?
Researchers will compare precuneus cTBS, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex iTBS, and sham stimulation to determine whether either active treatment reduces depressive symptoms more than sham stimulation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups and will not be told which treatment they initially receive.
Participants will:
* Complete screening procedures and baseline assessments of depression, rumination, and cognitive function * Receive 20 sessions of active or sham TMS during one in-person study day * Complete follow-up assessments 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the intervention * Report any side effects or medical problems experienced during the study
Participants initially assigned to sham stimulation may choose to receive active TMS after completing the 4-week follow-up period. Those who choose this option will receive either precuneus cTBS or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex iTBS and will complete additional follow-up assessments.
Age 18 years or older.
Able to speak, read, and understand English sufficiently to complete the study assessments and provide informed consent independently.
Diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to DSM-5-TR criteria, confirmed by a qualified physician.
Treatment-resistant depression, defined as an inadequate response to at least two adequate trials of antidepressant pharmacotherapy.
A history of a serious adverse reaction during TMS treatment.
A history of seizure.
A history of stroke.
A history of serious head injury or neurosurgery.
Parallel
Precuneus-targeted continuous theta-burst stimulation
DeviceActive continuous theta-burst stimulation is delivered to the Pz location of the international 10-20 EEG system to target the precuneus. Stimulation is administered with a double-cone coil at 80% of the participant's resting motor threshold. Each session consists of 600 pulses delivered over approximately 40 seconds. Participants receive 20 sessions during a single day, for a total of 12,000 pulses, with session onsets separated by approximately 30 minutes. If 80% of resting motor threshold is not tolerated, the intensity may be reduced to the highest tolerable level.
Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex intermittent theta-burst stimulation
DeviceActive intermittent theta-burst stimulation is delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The stimulation target is identified using the Beam F3 method. Stimulation is administered with a figure-of-eight coil at 80% of the participant's resting motor threshold. Each session consists of 600 pulses delivered over approximately 3 minutes. Participants receive 20 sessions during a single day, for a total of 12,000 pulses, with session onsets separated by approximately 30 minutes. If 80% of resting motor threshold is not tolerated, the intensity may be reduced to the highest tolerable level.
Sham transcranial magnetic stimulation
DeviceSham transcranial magnetic stimulation is administered at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex location identified using the Beam F3 method. A figure-of-eight coil is inverted so that the active surface faces away from the scalp. The stimulator is operated at 80% of the participant's resting motor threshold using the same intermittent theta-burst timing and approximate session duration as the active left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex intervention. Participants receive 20 sham sessions during a single day, with session onsets separated by approximately 30 minutes.
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score at Week 4
The MADRS is a clinician-administered 10-item scale used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. Each item is scored from 0 to 6, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 60. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptom severity. MADRS total scores will be assessed at baseline and at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the intervention. Post-intervention scores will be compared between treatment groups with adjustment for baseline MADRS total score. The primary treatment comparison will be conducted at Week 4.
17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) Total Score Through Week 4
The HAM-D-17 is a clinician-administered 17-item scale used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity. HAM-D-17 total scores will be assessed at baseline and at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the intervention. Post-intervention scores will be compared between treatment groups with adjustment for baseline HAM-D-17 total score.
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Total Score Through Week 4
The PHQ-9 is a 9-item self-report measure used to assess depressive symptom severity. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptom severity. PHQ-9 total scores will be assessed at baseline and at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the intervention. Post-intervention scores will be compared between treatment groups with adjustment for baseline PHQ-9 total score.
Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) Total Score Through Week 4
The RRS is a 22-item self-report measure used to assess the tendency to engage in ruminative responses. Each item is scored from 1 to 4, yielding a total score ranging from 22 to 88. Higher scores indicate greater levels of rumination. RRS total scores will be assessed at baseline and at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 after the intervention. Post-intervention scores will be compared between treatment groups with adjustment for baseline RRS total score.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Total Score at Week 4
The MoCA is a clinician-administered cognitive screening measure that assesses multiple cognitive domains. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. MoCA total scores will be assessed at baseline and at Week 4 after the intervention. The Week 4 score will be compared between treatment groups with adjustment for baseline MoCA total score.
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