A clinical trial to assess the role of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Smoking Cessation in an Egyptian Sample

Abstract

Tobacco remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, despite efforts to control its use. The framework convention on tobacco control has initiated worldwide efforts for tobacco control, one of which is offering treatment options for tobacco use disorder. Currently, available treatment options offer results that are barely satisfactory, with the best results yielding quit rates in up to 36% using the cessation services (Fiore et al., 2008). The search for novel, more effective treatment tools is mandatory. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) treatment modality that has gained approval in treatment resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and recently received an FDA clearance for smoking cessation. Its potential in addiction treatment has been explored and research is underway to refine an optimum protocol for treatment that could yield more satisfactory cessation rates. This study hypothesized that combining a course of 10 Hz rTMS of the left DLPFC with an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral intervention will support abstinence. It was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial carried out in real life conditions to assess the role of using rTMS for smoking cessation on a scalable level. It aimed to determine whether rTMS at this site would increase the likelihood of abstinence from smoking and have a decremental effect on cravings 6 months after the treatment sessions in comparison to counseling alone.