Abstract
BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive stimulation technique which has a treatment potential for alcohol use disorder. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a new rTMS technique which is shorter in duration and thus with better tolerability and shows similar efficacy as rTMS for the treatment of depression. The effect of iTBS on reducing craving in alcohol use disorder patients requires further investigation.MethodsA randomized, controlled, single-blind, multicenter study with 60 alcohol use disorder patients randomized (2:1) to the iTBS group or the control group (sham iTBS). The stimulation target will be identical in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Baseline evaluations will be occurred before the intervention, after the intervention immediately, and 1 and 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome of the study will be decrease of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores from baseline to the end of treatment.DiscussionThis study is a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of left DLPFC iTBS in a population of alcohol use disorder patients, compared with sham iTBS. If it is effective for alcohol use disorder, it may provide a potential treatment which is tolerable, accessible, and clinical useful.Cinical Trial RegistrationThis study is registered in the ClinicalTrials with trial number NCT03932149. Registered 17 April 2019.
Highlights
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive stimulation technique which has a treatment potential for alcohol use disorder
With the development of Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), the treatment of alcohol use disorder has new potential. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a newer form of rTMS which has been shown to improve the induction of synaptic long-term potentiation [34]
The effect is similar to high frequency rTMS but in a shorter time
Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive stimulation technique which has a treatment potential for alcohol use disorder. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a new rTMS technique which is shorter in duration and with better tolerability and shows similar efficacy as rTMS for the treatment of depression. The effect of iTBS on reducing craving in alcohol use disorder patients requires further investigation
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