Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Patients with Exposure Therapy Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (TETRO): Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR Res ProtocSep 9, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Tjardo S Postma, Ysbrand D van der Werf, Martijn Arns et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicenter randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of low-frequency (1Hz) rTMS targeting the pre-SMA as an adjunct to exposure therapy in adults with OCD who have not responded adequately to first-line treatments. The study aims to enroll 250 participants, with the primary outcome being OCD severity measured by the Y-BOCS at posttreatment.
Key findings
- The primary outcome is OCD severity at posttreatment, measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).
- Participants will receive 20 to 28 sessions of rTMS combined with ERP over a treatment period of 5 to 7 weeks.
- The study will analyze predictors of response and relapse risk, including symptom profiles and neuroplasticity markers.
Why it matters
This research addresses a significant gap in treatment options for OCD patients who do not respond to standard therapies, potentially leading to improved management strategies and better patient outcomes in this challenging population.