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rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings
NCT06228235 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The objective of this pilot clinical trial is to test the effects of different types of thinking strategies at the time of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), on smoking craving and brain activity. Participants will be individuals with moderate to high smoking dependence (smoking at least 8 cigarettes a day) who have no intention of quitting in the next 3 months and are eligible to have rTMS and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The main objectives of the trial are: 1. To compare the craving-reducing effects of "upregulation" and "downregulation" of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking during rTMS versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. 'Upregulation" is thinking about the immediate positive experience of smoking. "Downregulation" is thinking about the long-term negative consequences of smoking. 2. To examine changes in brain activity that accompany craving reductions produced by rTMS paired with upregulation and downregulation of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. Following screening for eligibility, participants will be trained on how to do upregulation and downregulation of craving. The participants will then participate in 3 testing sessions. In each session, the participants will receive rTMS at 20Hz in 50 trains (2000 pulses total), followed immediately by fMRI. Sessions will take place 1-2 weeks apart and will differ in the type of thinking strategy participants will use while looking at pictures during the rTMS: * upregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * downregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * no regulation of craving while viewing neutral smoking-unrelated images The order of sessions will be randomized across participants.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Study Locations (1)
West Virginia
- West Virginia University — Morgantown
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 20 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-04-16 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-05 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06228235
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06228235 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 20 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is West Virginia University, which has 93 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Smoking Behaviors appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06228235 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include West Virginia. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06228235 about?
NCT06228235 is a clinical study titled "rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings". The objective of this pilot clinical trial is to test the effects of different types of thinking strategies at the time of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), on smoking craving and brain activity. Participants will be indi...
What is the current status of trial NCT06228235?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 20 participants. The study started on 2024-04-16. Estimated completion is 2026-05.
What conditions does trial NCT06228235 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Smoking Behaviors, Smoking Reduction. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06228235?
The interventions under investigation include: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06228235?
This trial is sponsored by West Virginia University, which has 93 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06228235 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across West Virginia. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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