Dr Georg KRANZ, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded a grant of about HK$1.4M from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR, for his project “Intermittent theta-burst stimulation for major depression: an intensity-response study”.
Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) is a clinically proven, non-invasive brain stimulation procedure that induces neuroplasticity of the brain for improving depression symptoms. In the project, a randomised, multicentre, triple-arm, sham-controlled clinical trial, Dr. Kranz will compare the efficacy of iTBS at various stimulation intensities. Subjects will receive iTBS on a daily basis for 4 weeks. The relationship between stimulation intensity and treatment response will be studied.
The project holds important clinical implications in determining the optimal, tolerable stimulation intensity for patients, hence enhancing treatment adherence and effectiveness.
Research Units | Mental Health Research Centre |
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