Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Misophonia

This trial explores whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive brain treatment, can help individuals with misophonia, a condition where certain sounds trigger strong emotional reactions like irritation or anger. Participants will undergo two types of TMS sessions to determine if their response to these sounds changes. The goal is to discover if TMS can ease daily life for those struggling with misophonia triggers. Individuals who are extremely sensitive to specific sounds and often feel angry or fearful because of them might be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to pioneering research that could lead to new treatments for misophonia.

The trial requires that participants do not use psychotropic medications (drugs that affect the mind) recently or regularly. If you are taking such medications, you may need to stop them to participate.

Research has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is generally safe and well-tolerated. In past studies, participants mostly reported only mild side effects, such as headaches. The most serious risk is the very rare chance of a seizure. Both types of TMS, which either calm or stimulate brain activity, have also been well-tolerated in other studies. TMS is already used for other conditions, suggesting it is safe when used correctly.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for misophonia because it offers a non-invasive approach that directly targets brain activity. Unlike traditional treatments, which might include cognitive behavioral therapy or medication that can have side effects and require long-term commitment, TMS uses magnetic fields to modulate neural circuits involved in auditory processing and emotional regulation. This technique could potentially provide quicker relief by directly altering the brain's response to sound triggers, offering hope for more immediate and effective symptom management.

This trial will compare two different sequences of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for misophonia. Research suggests that TMS might help individuals with misophonia, a condition where certain sounds trigger strong emotional reactions. Earlier studies demonstrated that TMS helped participants manage their emotions related to these sounds, as measured by a stress level scale. Although TMS hasn't proven effective for some other conditions, it shows promise for aiding emotional regulation in misophonia. The treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas, potentially improving sound tolerance.²³⁵⁶⁷