MISO-STIM (Misophonia)

Purpose of this Study

We are doing this study to learn more about how well a study intervention works to reduce distress caused by misophonia. This intervention combines neurostimulation and skills-based training that is designed to help people think differently.

Who Can Participate?

Eligibility

Adults ages 18-55 who:
  • Have misophonia (are unable to tolerate hearing certain upsetting common sounds)
  • Become upset when hearing these sounds and have trouble calming themselves or controlling their emotions
  • Can come to Duke for the in-person study visits
  • Are able to complete 2 brain MRIs
  • Are either currently not in therapy, or started therapy more than 1 month ago
  • Do not plan to start any new medications and must keep their current medication use stable
For more information about this study, please contact the study team at jasmine.chabaan@duke.edu.

Age Range

18-55

Sex/Genders

Male (cisgender)
Female (cisgender)
Non-binary or gender fluid
Transgender male
Transgender female
Looking for Healthy Participants
No

What is Involved?

Description

If you take part in this study, you will need to visit our clinic 9 or 10 times. Two visits will involve an MRI scan and four will involve neurostimulation. You can do the remaining 3 or 4 visits remotely (online) if you wish. If you choose to join this study, you will get a random assignment (like a coin flip) to 1 of 2 groups:
  • Group 1: You will get active neurostimulation over the right side of the brain over 4 visits.
  • Group 2: You will get sham (meaning "not active") neurostimulation over the right side of the brain over 4 visits.
The type of neurostimulation being used in the study is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [rTMS] which involves placing an electromagnetic coil over your scalp that produces very small electric currents in the part of the brain closest to the coil. Regardless of the type of neurostimulation that you get, you’ll be taught how to think differently when upset, which is a psychological skill that has been shown to be helpful for misophonia in prior research. You can take a brief survey online to see if you might be eligible for the study: Study Eligibility Survey

Locations

Duke University Hospital

Visit Timing

Weekdays

Compensation

Yes

Spanish Materials Available

No

Study Details

Full Title

Using neurostimulation to accelerate change in misophonia: a pilot study

Study Website

Study Website

Principal Investigator

Andrada
Neacsiu

Protocol Number

PRO00114183

NCT ID

NCT06333925

Phase

N/A

Enrollment Status

Open to Enrollment
ClinicalTrials.gov