Combining rTMS & Aerobic Exercise to Treat Depression and Improve Post-Stroke Walking

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Depression - Major Depressive Disorder; Walking Impairment; Stroke

• Registration Number: NCT07050355
• Lead Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Brief Summary

Investigators primary aim is to carry out a two-site, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, phase II trial to systematically examine the potential for aerobic exercise (AEx) to enhance the anti-depressant benefits of rTMS in individuals with post-stroke depression (PSD).

Investigators propose to determine the efficacy of combining two known anti-depressant treatments shown to be effective in non-stroke depression, aerobic exercise (AEx) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), on post-stroke depressive symptoms. This project is based on the idea that depression negatively affects the potential for the brain to adapt in response to treatment such that rehabilitation may not produce the same changes that it does in non-depressed individuals. Investigators believe that effective treatment for PSD will result in a virtuous cycle whereby reducing depression enhances response to rehabilitation, thereby facilitating functional gains. That is, effectively treating depression will enable individuals to better recover from stroke.

Detailed Description

This project will determine whether aerobic exercise enhances the anti-depressant benefits rTMS in individuals with PSD through a two-site, prospective, randomized trial. Over a five-year period, 96 subjects (12-60 months post-stroke) will be assigned to complete 12 weeks of treatment with rTMS, treadmill AEx or both (i.e., rTMS+AEx). Treatments will take place three times per week on non-consecutive days. Assessments of depression (HAM-D17) and walking capacity (6MWT) will be performed at two-week intervals throughout treatment as well as 12- and 24-weeks following cessation of treatment, allowing determination of the efficacy (and persistence) of training on these outcomes. Secondary outcomes will include measures of community walking (steps per day) and quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale) collected pre-, mid- and post-training, as well as at the follow-up time points. Last, investigators will explore potential biomarkers of response via assessment of PAS-induced neuroplastic potential and MR imaging to identify changes in cortical grey matter thickness.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-11-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-03
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-24
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-09
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-14
• Primary Completion: 2029-08-31
• Study Completion: 2029-08-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 96

Inclusion Criteria

• age 21-70
• stroke within the past 12 to 60 months
• screen positive for probable major depressive disorder (PHQ-9 > 10) and HAM-D17 ≥ 14
• residual paresis in the lower extremity (Fugl-Meyer LE motor score <34)
• ability to walk without assistance and without an AFO at speeds ranging from 0.2-1.0 m/s
• not currently on antidepressant medications or no changes in antidepressant dosage in the last 4 weeks and clinically stable
• HAM-D17 question #9 regarding suicide <2
• provision of informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• unable to ambulate at least 150 feet prior to stroke, or experienced intermittent claudication while walking
• history of congestive heart failure, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during ADL's
• history of COPD or oxygen dependence
• history of traumatic brain injury
• blindness or severe visual impairment
• history of psychosis or other Axis I disorder that is primary
• life expectancy <1 yr.
• severe arthritis or problems that limit participation in testing or training
• history of DVT or pulmonary embolism within 6 months
• uncontrolled diabetes with recent weight loss, diabetic coma, or frequent insulin reactions
• severe hypertension with systolic >200 mmHg and diastolic >110 mmHg at rest
• attempt of suicide in the last 2 years or suicidal risk assessed by SCID
• history of seizures or currently prescribed anti-seizure medications
• current enrollment in a trial to enhance motor recovery
• currently participating in behavioral treatment for depression
• currently exercising ≥ 2 times per week (≥20 minutes)
• contraindications to TMS
• pregnancy or other contraindications to MRI.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Severity of depressive symptoms	baseline, after 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks of treatment	The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) is the gold-standard for clinical trial outcomes and samples a broad array of depressive symptoms. Critically, the rater administering the HAM-D17 will be clinically trained and will blinded to all other aspects of the study. For this trial, depression severity will be classified as moderate (HAM-D17 = 14-19) or severe (HAM-D = 20-25) for the purpose of stratification and diagnosed upon enrollment using the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression according to the Diagnostic \& Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
six-minute walk test	baseline, after 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks of treatment	Distance walked in 6 minutes
Step activity monitoring	baseline, after 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks of treatment	Daily step count
Stroke Impact Scale	baseline, after 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks of treatment	Assesses multiple domains of stroke recovery on a scale from 0 to 100, including strength, hand function, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, communication, emotion, memory and thinking, and participation, with higher scores representing better recovery

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Duke University School of Medicine; 🇺🇸 Durham, North Carolina, United States

Medical University of South Carolina; 🇺🇸 Charleston, South Carolina, United States