NCT06712446 · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
A Pilot Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Plus Episodic Future Thinking for Methamphetamine Use Disorder
What this study is about
The purpose of this study is to assess impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)+Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) vs.
View original scientific description
The purpose of this study is to assess impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)+Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) vs.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
EFT
Participants will identify three personalized and rewarding future events not related to drug use that take place 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months in the future. Participants will be asked to rate the vividness of each personalized future positive event on a 5-pt Likert scale.A brief and personalized EFT prompt will be created for each future event . Personalized EFT prompts will be presented during delay discounting and MA demand assessments following EFT training. Participants will also receive daily text/email messages with these prompts, reminding them to engage in EFT, vividly reexperience their future events, over the week following EFT training.
DEVICE
high frequency rTMS
TMS will be delivered with a MagVenture Mag Pro R30 with the Cool-B70 A/P coil with active liquid cooling . For dlPFC, we will measure position F3. The first session will begin with the acquisition of the resting motor threshold on the contralateral hand. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) (triplet 50 Hz bursts, repeated at 5 Hz, 2 sec on and 8 sec off; 600 pulses per session) will be delivered at 110% of the resting motor threshold (RMT) and will last \~3 minutes. Participants will receive 2 sessions of iTBS to the dlPFC brain region with a 15-20-minute interval between sessions
DEVICE
sham frequency rTMS
Participants will receive sham TMS to the dlPFC. They may feel the TMS from the A/P coil electrodes, but there will not be any real stimulation of the brain.
Primary outcome measures
Rate of delay discounting as assessed by the 5-Trial adjusting Delay Discounting Task
Time frame: before TMS+EFT, after TMS+EFT, 7-day follow-up
This 5 item questionnaire measures the extent to which participants devalue a reward as the delay to its receipt increases.This task presents choices between $500 now vs. $1,000 after a delay.The discount rate k quantifies how rapidly the value of a delayed reward decreases with time.Low k Indicates patience or low impulsivity - greater willingness to wait for larger rewards.High k Indicates impatience or high impulsivity - preference for immediate rewards over delayed ones.
Change in MA Demand as assessed by the Drug Purchasing Task
Time frame: before TMS+EFT, after TMS+EFT, 7-day follow-up
MA demand will be assessed by asking participants how many grams of MA they would purchase to use over the course of a weekend (Friday night to Sunday night) as a function of increasing price ($0 to $10000) Demand is the maximum quantity of Methamphetamine consumed if the drug was free measured in grams or dollar amount
EFT Vividness as assessed by the Vividness Scale
Time frame: measured during EFT training on study day 1
This is a single item questionnaire and is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1(not vivid at all) to 5( extremely vivid) for a maximum score of 5, higher score indicating more vivid outcome
EFT Engagement as assessed by the Engagement Scale
Time frame: 7-day follow-up
This is a single item questionnaire and is scored on a 4-point Likert scale 1-4 asking how often each individual engaged in EFT (i.e., every day, most days, some days, no days), higher score indicating more engagement
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for primary methamphetamine use disorder
- Be fluent in English and able to understand the consent form
Exclusion criteria
- Current DSM-5 diagnosis for any illicit substance use disorder other than methamphetamine and marijuana
- Current DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate or greater severity for alcohol and marijuana use disorder
- In the opinion of the PI, the presence of any medical, neurological, psychiatric (e.g., psychotic or bipolar disorder), or physical condition, disease, or illness that, may: (a) compromise, interfere, limit, effect or reduce the subject's ability to complete the study; or (b) adversely impact the safety of the subject or the integrity of the data
- Has current or recent (within 3 months of potential enrollment) suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, homicidal ideation or a homicidal plan sufficient to raise subject safety concerns based on the following assessments according to the PI:
- Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)
- Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Screening - Answers YES to Questions 3, 4, 5, or 6
- Assault \& homicidal danger assessment tool - Key to danger \>1
- Medical implants contraindicating TMS (i.e., aneurysm clips or coils, stents, implanted stimulators, implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators, implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers or medication pumps, electrodes for monitoring brain activity, cochlear implants for hearing, any magnetic implants, bullet fragments, any other metal device or object implanted in your body closer than 30 cm from the coil)
- History of brain surgery
- History of an intracranial lesion or any medical or neurological diagnosis/condition associated with increased intracranial pressure (i.e., Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension/Pseudotumor Cerebri) OR any of the following symptoms within 30 days of enrollment: headaches \> 15 days/month, loss of vision or decreased vision
- Moderate-to-severe heart disease
- History of stroke
- Is taking any antidepressant or antipsychotic medication at a dose above the maximum recommended dose or at a dose deemed to be potentially unsafe according to the PI; has taken any of the following medications, which are known to increase the risk of seizures, within 1 week of study enrollment; or does not agree to abstain from taking the following medications during study participation:
- chlorpromazine
- clomipramine hydrochloride
- maprotiline hydrochloride
- diphenhydramine
- stimulants other than methamphetamine including the following: Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, Cocaine, Methylphenidate,
- Personal history of epilepsy or seizure disorder and/or family history including a first-degree relative
- Serious head injury with loss of consciousness
- Impending incarceration
- Pregnant or nursing females
- Inability to read, write, or speak English
- For adolescent aged participants (18-21 only): any risk factor for neurocardiogenic syncope (history of syncope/presyncope related to noxious stimuli, anxiety, micturition, or posture)
Where
- Houston, Texas
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Mar 5, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations