Do you have mental health condition and want to quit smoking? You are being invited to participate in a clinical trial within the Nicotine Dependence Clinic where you will be randomized to receive either 6 weeks of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or 6 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to quit smoking cigarettes. Email rtms.smoking@camh.ca or call 416-535-8501 x 31551 to book a screening session.
This is a study looking at the effectiveness and implementation of rTMS compared to nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in people with mental health conditions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment that involves stimulating certain areas of the brain with magnetic field pulses. Over time, these magnetic field pulses can gradually change the activity level of the stimulated brain region. This can be helpful in reducing craving and consumption across many substance use disorders (SUDs), including nicotine dependence. In 2022, Health Canada approved rTMS for smoking cessation treatment, however, it has not been widely integrated into clinical care.
What will you receive if you are eligible?
Participation in this study involves daily rTMS treatment for 6 weeks or treatment with nicotine replacement therapy for 6 weeks. rTMS sessions (Monday to Friday) for 3 weeks and then weekly sessions for another 3 weeks. Each treatment session is about 25 minutes in length and will be administered by a certified rTMS technician. You will be randomized to either rTMS or nicotine replacement therapy and followed for 6 weeks. If you are in the nicotine replacement therapy group you will have the opportunity to receive rTMS afterwards if you are still smoking.
Is this study for you?
If you answer YES to all of the following:
- Do you smoke cigarettes daily?
- Are you between the ages of 18 and 70 years old?
- Do you intend to quit smoking within 30 days of starting the study?
AND if you answer NO to all of the following:
- Are you pregnant or intending to be pregnant?
- Do you have a diagnosis of epilepsy or seizure associated with a brain disease?
- Do you have any severe allergic reactions that you know of to the nicotine patch?
- Do you currently use e-cigarettes or vaping devices that you are unwilling to stop for the duration of the study?
- Have you previously had rTMS for the treatment of smoking cessation?
- Have you used the nicotine patch or any mediations to help you quit cigarettes (for example varenicline) in the last 1 month?
