Effects of High-Intensity, Low-Frequency Periodic rTMS Over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Women With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Anxiety: A Proof-of-Concept rTMS-ECG Clinical Trial ( NEURO-CARD)

Summary

This proof-of-concept trial investigates whether high-intensity, low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve autonomic cardiac regulation in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and anxiety. The study explores the lateralised function of the DLPFC in emotional and autonomic control and tests a novel neuromodulation-based strategy to relieve anxiety and sympathetic overactivation.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female, aged 18-45 years, and right-handed.
2. Diagnosis of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as ≥2 consecutive spontaneous miscarriages before 28 weeks of gestation.
3. Currently non-pregnant, or presenting with a missed abortion (no fetal cardiac activity confirmed by ultrasound).
4. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) score ≥14 (moderate or greater anxiety) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) score ≤17 (to exclude clinically significant depression).
5. Confirmed diagnosis of at least one DSM-5 anxiety disorder subtype-generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-based on a structured or semi-structured psychiatric interview conducted remotely via HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video by a board-certified psychiatrist.--Exclusion Criteria:

1\) Contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), including metallic implants or a history of epilepsy; 2) Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic \>180 mmHg or \<90 mmHg); 3) Presence of other major medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism, a history of atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, sinus bradycardia, neurological disorders, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic pulmonary disease; 4) Clinically significant suicide risk; 5) A current or past diagnosis of other psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders, schizophrenia, delusional disorder, unspecified psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or delirium.

Conditions4

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