Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Theta Burst Stimulation on Impulsivity, Emotional Dysregulation, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Borderline Personality Disorder Patients (TMS and TBS)
Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Theta Burst Stimulation on Impulsivity, Emotional Dysregulation, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in a Sample of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
the goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The study aims to assess whether these brain stimulation techniques can reduce symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and non-suicidal self-injury.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does high-frequency rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improve emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and non-suicidal self-injury in patients with BPD? Does intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left DLPFC produce similar therapeutic effects? How does the efficacy of rTMS and iTBS compare to sham stimulation after completing the treatment course?
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
- High-frequency rTMS group
- Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) group
- Sham stimulation group Each participant will receive 15-20 stimulation sessions over the left DLPFC. Changes in emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and non-suicidal self-injury symptoms will be evaluated before and after treatment.
Studie Overzicht
Toestand
Toestand
Conditie
Conditie
Interventie / Behandeling
Interventie / Behandeling
Gedetailleerde beschrijving
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and recurrent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
Although psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions remain the mainstay of treatment, many patients continue to experience severe emotional instability and impulsivity. Neuromodulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) have recently shown promise in modulating fronto-limbic circuits involved in emotion regulation.
This prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of high-frequency rTMS and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in patients diagnosed with BPD. The interventions are expected to enhance prefrontal modulation of limbic activity, thereby improving emotional regulation, reducing impulsivity, and decreasing non-suicidal self-injury behaviors.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1: High-frequency rTMS (5 Hz, 1200 pulses/session, 80-110% RMT, 21 min total) Group 2: Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS, 50 Hz bursts, 600 pulses/session, 80-120% RMT, 21 min total) Group 3: Sham stimulation (matched duration and sound without magnetic output) All participants will continue their standard therapy for BPD, including weekly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) sessions during the study. Each participant will receive 20 sessions over 4 weeks (5 sessions per week). Allocation concealment will be ensured using sealed, numbered envelopes prepared by an independent administrator, and both participants and assessors will be blinded to group assignment.
Clinical assessments will include:
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (SCID-II) for BPD diagnosis General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to screen for psychiatric comorbidities Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form (DERS-16) Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI) Measurements will be taken at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the stimulation sessions (post-intervention).
Safety procedures will follow international TMS safety guidelines (Rossi et al., 2009; Lefaucheur et al., 2020). Adverse effects such as transient headache or scalp discomfort will be monitored, and any serious adverse events (e.g., seizures) will be immediately reported to the Research Ethics Committee.
This study seeks to determine whether rTMS or iTBS is more effective than sham stimulation in improving emotion regulation, reducing impulsivity, and decreasing self-harm behaviors. It will also explore whether iTBS, with its shorter session duration, provides a comparable or superior therapeutic benefit to conventional rTMS.
Studietype
Studietype
Inschrijving (Geschat)
Inschrijving
Fase
Fase
- Niet toepasbaar
Contacten en locaties
Studiecontact
Studiecontact
- Naam: dina h abouelleil, Masters of neuropsychiatry
- Telefoonnummer: +201062229030
- E-mail: dinahussein@med.asu.edu.eg
Studie Locaties
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Cairo Governorate
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Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypte, 11252
- Werving
- Ainshams University Hospitals
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Contact:
- dina h abouelleil, msc of neuropsychiatry
- Telefoonnummer: +201062229030
- E-mail: Dinahussein@med.asu.edu.eg
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Deelname Criteria
Geschiktheidscriteria
Geschiktheidscriteria
Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie
Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers
Geslachten die in aanmerking komen voor studie
Beschrijving
Inclusion Criteria:
- 1. Age range: 21-50 years old. 2. Gender: males and females 3. Borderline personality disorder diagnosis
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1. Presence of other uncontrolled mental illness that precludes the ability to provide informed consent (e.g.; acute psychosis, bipolar disorder currently in manic episode, major depressive disorder with recent suicidal attempt).
2. Patients with contraindications to TMS as cardiac patients with pacemakers, metallic implants as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, stents, and deep brain stimulation electrodes.
Studie plan
Hoe is de studie opgezet?
Ontwerpdetails
- Primair doel: Behandeling
- Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
- Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
- Masker: Dubbele
Aantal wapens
Wapens en interventies
Deelnemersgroep / ArmDeelnemersgroep / Arm |
Interventie / BehandelingInterventie / Behandeling |
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Actieve vergelijker: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Participants receive 15-20 sessions of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Each session lasts approximately 21 minutes. |
rTMS will be delivered at 5 Hz frequency, 1200 pulses per session, at 80-110% of the individual's resting motor threshold (RMT). Stimulation will be applied to the left DLPFC (F3 according to the 10-20 EEG system) using a figure-of-eight coil. Each session includes 18 minutes of active stimulation followed by 3 minutes of sham stimulation on the target site. Sessions are administered 5 days per week for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions).
Andere namen:
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Actieve vergelijker: Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation Group
Participants receive 15-20 sessions of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Each session lasts approximately 21 minutes. |
iTBS will be delivered as 50 Hz bursts (three pulses per burst, 5 Hz bursts) at 80-120% of resting motor threshold, totaling 600 pulses per session. Stimulation will be applied over the left DLPFC (F3 site, 10-20 EEG system). Each session includes 3 minutes of active iTBS and 18 minutes of sham stimulation. Sessions are administered 5 days per week for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions).
Andere namen:
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Sham-vergelijker: Sham Stimulation Group
Participants receive sham stimulation sessions identical in duration and sound to the active conditions but without active magnetic output. |
Sham stimulation will be delivered using the same coil orientation and acoustic cues as the active conditions, but with the magnetic field output disabled. Each session includes 18 minutes of sham rTMS and 3 minutes of sham TBS over the left DLPFC (F3 site). Sessions are administered 5 days per week for 4 weeks (total 20 sessions). |
Wat meet het onderzoek?
Primaire uitkomstmaten
Primaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
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improvement of impulsivity in BPD as assessed by barratt impulsivity scale (BIS)
Tijdsspanne: 20 sessions given over 1 month
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Improvement of results of The barratt impulsivity scale (BIS) measured before starting sessions and after finishing 20 sessions |
20 sessions given over 1 month
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Secundaire uitkomstmaten
Secundaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
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improvement of emotional dysregulation as per Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale(DERS)
Tijdsspanne: 20 sessions1 month
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Improvement of results of DERS measured before starting sessions and after finishing 20 sessions |
20 sessions1 month
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improvement of non-suicidal self injury
Tijdsspanne: 20 sessions given in 1 month
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Improvement of results of The Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI) measured before starting sessions and after finishing 20 sessions |
20 sessions given in 1 month
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Medewerkers en onderzoekers
Sponsor
Sponsor
Onderzoekers
Onderzoekers
- Studie directeur: mohamed F professor Dr, MD of psychiatry, ainshams university
Publicaties en nuttige links
Studie record data
Bestudeer belangrijke data
Studie start (Werkelijk)
Studie start
Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)
Primaire voltooiing
Studie voltooiing (Geschat)
Studie voltooiing
Studieregistratiedata
Eerst ingediend
Eerst ingediend
Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria
Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria
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Meer informatie
Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie
Trefwoorden
Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden
Andere studie-ID-nummers
Andere studie-ID-nummers
- FMASU MD169/2025
Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)
Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?
Beschrijving IPD-plan
de-identified individual participant data will be available upon reasonable request after publication of the primary results
IPD-tijdsbestek voor delen
5 years after publication
IPD delen Ondersteunend informatietype
- LEERPROTOCOOL
- ICF
- MVO
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