MedTrace Logo

Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM) for Somatic Symptoms in Treatment-Resistant Depression

NCT07543328 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-04-30

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of moderate-dose transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) at different frequencies (10 Hz and 40 Hz) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It further aims to explore the differential efficacy across various symptom subtypes, with a particular focus on the somatic symptom-dominant subtype. Additionally, this study will collect paired-pulse neurophysiological parameters (e.g., the ratio of cortical inhibition to excitation) to preliminarily explore the neural mechanisms underlying the modulation of cortical excitability by t-PBM intervention, and to analyze their correlation with the magnitude of clinical symptom improvement.

The specific aims of this study are as follows:

To evaluate the differential efficacy of t-PBM at varying frequencies (10 Hz vs. 40 Hz) in improving clinical depressive symptoms (as measured by scales such as HAM-D and MADRS).

To investigate the therapeutic response to t-PBM in patients with the somatic symptom-dominant depression subtype, analyzing its potential suitability for targeting specific symptoms.

To explore the changes in paired-pulse TMS parameters (e.g., SICI, ICF, and LICI) before and after t-PBM treatment, gaining preliminary insights into the potential association between its cortical modulatory effects and clinical outcomes.

Conditions

  • Treatment-resistant Depression (TRD)
  • Major Depression Disorder

Interventions

DEVICE

transcranial photobiomodulation

Participants will receive active transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) stimulation at a frequency of 10 Hz. The device delivers near-infrared light targeting the prefrontal cortex. Each treatment session lasts for 20 minutes, administered twice a week for four consecutive weeks (totaling 8 sessions).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan

    lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-06
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2027-03-31

Countries

  • Taiwan

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07543328 on ClinicalTrials.gov