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| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| R01MH120811-05 | U.S. NIH Grant/Contract | View source |
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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) | NIH |
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The study is investigating working memory brain states by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study uses a novel, individualized targeting approach for TMS based on each subject's individual multi-modal fMRI data. The individualized target will be stimulated in a TMS/ fMRI imaging session to investigate working memory states and optimal stimulation frequencies.
Prior to any study visits, all subjects will be pre-screened through a REDCap online self-report screening REDCap. The study involves 11 study visits.
The first study visit will consist of a consenting and extended screening visit. All participants will have the opportunity to ask questions before signing the electronic consent form. We will complete a semi-structured clinical interview and will demonstrate TMS to ensure the participant is comfortable with all study procedures. This visit will be completed both remote and in-person.
The second study visit will involve a 1-hour MRI scan. During the scan, the participant will complete multiple computerized tasks. The MRI scan will include both structural and functional scans, and those scans will be used to localize the stimulation target for the subsequent sessions.
The third study visit will be a 2-hour TMS/fMRI session, and the participant will engage in behavioral tasks while interleaved rTMS rounds are delivered at different excitatory frequencies (frequency range:
2Hz-20Hz). This scan will be used to determine the optimal stimulation frequency for the individual participant.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth study visits will involve neuromodulation with either the optimized frequency or the frequency least successful in moving a participants brain state, as determined from the third study visit. Each subject will receive ~3000 pulses in each session, including the pulses from the motor threshold determination. We will determine the stimulation amplitude by using the Stokes equation, which accounts for differences in cortical distance from the site relative to motor cortex (where the motor threshold is found).
The seventh study visit will involve a 1-hour TMS/fMRI session while the participant is engaging in a behavioral task. This visit is designed to examine brain and behavioral changes after the first round of neuromodulation.
The seventh and the eighth visit will be scheduled at least one week apart.
The eighth, ninth, and tenth study visits will mirror the fourth, fifth, and sixth study visits and will involve neuromodulation with either the optimized or least-optimized individual frequency. The order of optimized and least-optimized frequencies will be counterbalanced across participants between Visit 4-6 and Visit 8-10 (i.e., half of the participants will receive stimulations of the two frequencies in one order, and the other half will receive stimulations of the two frequencies in the reverse order). The eleventh visit will mirror the seventh visit and will examine brain and behavioral changes after the second round of neuromodulation.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimized TMS frequency, Then Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency | Experimental | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their sub-optimal TMS frequency instead. |
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| Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency, Then Optimized TMS frequency | Experimental | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their sub-optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their optimal TMS frequency instead. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) | Diagnostic Test | Participants undergo resting-state and task-based fMRI to identify individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targets and determine optimal and sub-optimal stimulation frequencies. Additional fMRI scans are performed after each neuromodulation phase to assess changes following three days of stimulation at the optimal and sub-optimal frequencies. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction Time Changes During N-Back Task in Responses to Different TMS Frequencies | During the TMS/fMRI scan, participants perform a working memory task (N-back). To evaluate how different repetitive TMS frequencies (5, 10, and 20 Hz) impact reaction time during N-back task, each rTMS train is followed by a block of the N-back task. A decoder identifies one frequency as optimal frequency and another as suboptimal frequency. Reaction Time during optimal, suboptimal, and no stimulation condition is assessed by taking average of reaction time on accurate trials with faster reaction times indicating better performance. | Single visit (~2 hours) |
| Accuracy Changes During N-Back Task in Responses to Different TMS Frequencies | During the TMS/fMRI scan, participants perform a working memory task (N-back). To evaluate how different repetitive TMS frequencies (5, 10, and 20 Hz) impact accuracy during N-back task, each rTMS train is followed by a block of the N-back task. A decoder identifies one frequency as optimal frequency and another as suboptimal frequency. Accuracy during optimal, suboptimal, and no stimulation condition is assessed by taking average of all the trials with better accuracy indicating better performance. | Single visit (~2 hours) |
| Reaction Time Changes in the Delayed Matching to Sample Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a working memory task (Delayed Match to Sample). The delay period reflects how long participants can retain the information in working memory. Common delay periods used in research, including our study, are 0 seconds, 4 seconds, and 12 seconds.The outcome measure shows the reaction time for each of these variables. | Up to 1 month |
| Accuracy Changes in the Delayed Matching to Sample Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction Time Changes in the Reaction Time Index Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a reaction time index task that acted as a control task. The outcome measure shows the reaction time. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
1)18-60 years old 2) Right handed 3) No psychiatric history as diagnosed by the SCID-V 4) Normal cognition 5) Capacity to give informed consent and follow study procedures 6) Sufficient command of English language to understand and respond to written as well as verbal instructions
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 19104 | United States |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42284508 | Derived | Khan A, Li H, Blaine C, Grier J, Hammett E, Figueroa-Gonzalez A, Garcia S, Duprat R, Reber J, Deluisi J, Davatzikos C, Satterthwaite TD, Fan Y, Oathes DJ. Personalized Network-Guided Neuromodulation Enhances Human Working Memory. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Jun 12:e23009. doi: 10.1002/advs.202523009. Online ahead of print. |
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Of the 27 participants enrolled in the study, 2 withdrew before group assignment during the baseline MRI visit; one due to MRI-related discomfort and one due to scheduling conflicts.
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FG000 | Optimized TMS Frequency, Then Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their sub-optimal TMS frequency instead. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): The investigators will create individualized TMS targets using deep learning methods on task and resting fMRI data to target working memory augmentation. The individualized target will be stimulated in a subsequent fMRI scan involving working memory task performance interleaved with repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivered at a variety of stimulation frequencies. Based on activation readouts in response to rTMS, an optimal and sub-optimal brain state frequency to impact working memory performance will be selected for each participant. Participants will receive rTMS at each frequency separately for three days (six days total), with the order of frequency randomly assigned and counterbalanced. Following each three day protocol, another fMRI working memory readout will be conducted to support the targeting and frequency selection algorithms. |
| FG001 | Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency, Then Optimized TMS Frequency | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their sub-optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their optimal TMS frequency instead. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): The investigators will create individualized TMS targets using deep learning methods on task and resting fMRI data to target working memory augmentation. The individualized target will be stimulated in a subsequent fMRI scan involving working memory task performance interleaved with repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivered at a variety of stimulation frequencies. Based on activation readouts in response to rTMS, an optimal and sub-optimal brain state frequency to impact working memory performance will be selected for each participant. Participants will receive rTMS at each frequency separately for three days (six days total), with the order of frequency randomly assigned and counterbalanced. Following each three day protocol, another fMRI working memory readout will be conducted to support the targeting and frequency selection algorithms. |
| Title | Milestones | Reasons Not Completed | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuromodulation Week 1 (V4-V6) |
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| TMS/fMRI #2 (Visit 7) |
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| Washout (at Least 7 Days) |
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| Neuromodulation Week 2 (V8 - V10) |
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| TMS/fMRI #3 (Visit 11) |
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BG000 | Optimized TMS Frequency, Then Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their sub-optimal TMS frequency instead. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): The investigators will create individualized TMS targets using deep learning methods on task and resting fMRI data to target working memory augmentation. The individualized target will be stimulated in a subsequent fMRI scan involving working memory task performance interleaved with repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivered at a variety of stimulation frequencies. Based on activation readouts in response to rTMS, an optimal and sub-optimal brain state frequency to impact working memory performance will be selected for each participant. Participants will receive rTMS at each frequency separately for three days (six days total), with the order of frequency randomly assigned and counterbalanced. Following each three day protocol, another fMRI working memory readout will be conducted to support the targeting and frequency selection algorithms. |
| Units | Counts |
|---|---|
| Participants |
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| Title | Description | Population Description | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Denominator Units Selected | Denominators | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | Mean |
| Type | Title | Description | Population Description | Reporting Status | Anticipated Posting Date | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Time Frame | Units Analyzed | Denominator Units Selected | Arm/Group Information | Denominators | Classes | Analyses | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Reaction Time Changes During N-Back Task in Responses to Different TMS Frequencies | During the TMS/fMRI scan, participants perform a working memory task (N-back). To evaluate how different repetitive TMS frequencies (5, 10, and 20 Hz) impact reaction time during N-back task, each rTMS train is followed by a block of the N-back task. A decoder identifies one frequency as optimal frequency and another as suboptimal frequency. Reaction Time during optimal, suboptimal, and no stimulation condition is assessed by taking average of reaction time on accurate trials with faster reaction times indicating better performance. | All 19 participants underwent three different stimulation periods including Optimal, Suboptimal, and No Stimulation. Four subjects who completed the study were not included in the analysis due to technical issues leading to unreliable or missing data. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | Seconds | Single visit (~2 hours) |
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Adverse event data was collected from study enrollment until study completion (up to 8 weeks)
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| ID | Title | Description | Deaths (Affected) | Deaths (At Risk) | Serious Events (Affected) | Serious Events (At Risk) | Other Events (Affected) | Other Events (At Risk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG000 | Optimal rTMS Frequency | Three consecutive days of rTMS using their individualized optimal TMS frequency. |
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| Term | Organ System | Source Vocabulary | Assessment Type | Notes | Statistical Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | Nervous system disorders | Systematic Assessment |
Enrollment goals were not met due to delays caused by COVID-19. Of the 23 subjects who completed the study, data from only 19 were analyzed. Technical issues with the remaining 4 subjects resulted in uninterpretable data.
| Title | Organization | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Desmond Oathes, Principal Investigator | University of Pennsylvania | 215-573-9390 | oathes@pennmedicine.upenn.edu |
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| Type | Includes Protocol | Includes SAP | Includes ICF | Document Label | Document Date | Document Uploaded Date | Document File Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prot_SAP | Yes | Yes | No | Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan | Sep 8, 2023 | May 12, 2025 | Prot_SAP_000.pdf |
| ICF | No | No | Yes | Informed Consent Form | Apr 8, 2024 | May 12, 2025 | ICF_001.pdf |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D008279 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| D050781 | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D014054 | Tomography |
| D003952 | Diagnostic Imaging |
| D019937 | Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures |
| D003933 | Diagnosis |
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Task and resting fMRI will be used to determine an individualized brain target for each participant. In a subsequent session, participants will complete a task fMRI with repetitive TMS neuromodulation; during this session, various stimulation protocols will be interleaved with working memory task blocks to result in online brain readouts of the degree in which modulation affected the brain state in regards to working memory performance.
Based on this testing, an optimal and sub-optimal TMS stimulation frequency will be determined for each individual participant. Each frequency will be administered separately across three stimulation days using a crossover design, with the order of frequencies being randomized and counterbalanced. Therefore, each subject will receive six days of TMS stimulation: three using the optimal frequency, and three using the sub-optimal frequency. The initial TMS/ task fMRI testing session will be completed at the midpoint and end of the study.
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| Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) | Device | Participants first receive multiple rTMS frequencies during an fMRI scan to assess brain responses and determine individualized optimal and sub-optimal stimulation frequencies. They then complete two neuromodulation intervention periods, receiving rTMS at the identified optimal and sub-optimal frequencies. Each frequency is administered over three consecutive days, with the order of conditions randomized and counterbalanced. |
|
Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a working memory task (Delayed Match to Sample). The delay period reflects how long participants can retain the information in working memory. Common delay periods used in research, including our study, are 0 seconds, 4 seconds, and 12 seconds.The outcome measure shows the accuracy for each of these variables.
| Up to 1 month |
| Up to 1 month |
| Movement Time Changes in the Reaction Time Index Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a reaction time index task that acted as a control task. The outcome measure shows the movement time. | Up to 1 month |
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| NOT COMPLETED |
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| NOT COMPLETED |
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| NOT COMPLETED |
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| BG001 | Sub-Optimal TMS Frequency, Then Optimized TMS Frequency | In the first neuromodulation session, participants will receive rTMS using their sub-optimal TMS frequency. After washout period of 1 week (minimum), the participants will start their second neuromodulation session using their optimal TMS frequency instead. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): The investigators will create individualized TMS targets using deep learning methods on task and resting fMRI data to target working memory augmentation. The individualized target will be stimulated in a subsequent fMRI scan involving working memory task performance interleaved with repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivered at a variety of stimulation frequencies. Based on activation readouts in response to rTMS, an optimal and sub-optimal brain state frequency to impact working memory performance will be selected for each participant. Participants will receive rTMS at each frequency separately for three days (six days total), with the order of frequency randomly assigned and counterbalanced. Following each three day protocol, another fMRI working memory readout will be conducted to support the targeting and frequency selection algorithms. |
| BG002 | Total | Total of all reporting groups |
| years |
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| Sex: Female, Male | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Race (NIH/OMB) | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Region of Enrollment | Count of Participants | Participants |
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Participants underwent optimal stimulation followed by the N-back task to assess its impact on performance. Accuracy and reaction time were used as performance metrics, with higher accuracy and/or faster responses indicating better performance. |
| OG001 | N-back Performance During Suboptimal Stimulation | Participants underwent suboptimal stimulation followed by the N-back task to assess its impact on performance. Accuracy and reaction time were used as performance metrics, with higher accuracy and/or faster responses indicating better performance. |
| OG002 | N-back Performance During No Stimulation | Participants also underwent periods of No Stimulation followed by the N-back task to assess its impact on performance. Accuracy and reaction time were used as performance metrics, with higher accuracy and/or faster responses indicating better performance. |
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| Primary | Accuracy Changes During N-Back Task in Responses to Different TMS Frequencies | During the TMS/fMRI scan, participants perform a working memory task (N-back). To evaluate how different repetitive TMS frequencies (5, 10, and 20 Hz) impact accuracy during N-back task, each rTMS train is followed by a block of the N-back task. A decoder identifies one frequency as optimal frequency and another as suboptimal frequency. Accuracy during optimal, suboptimal, and no stimulation condition is assessed by taking average of all the trials with better accuracy indicating better performance. | All 19 participants underwent three different stimulation periods including Optimal, Suboptimal, and No Stimulation. Four subjects who completed the study were not included in the analysis due to technical issues leading to unreliable or missing data. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | Percentage | Single visit (~2 hours) |
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| Primary | Reaction Time Changes in the Delayed Matching to Sample Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a working memory task (Delayed Match to Sample). The delay period reflects how long participants can retain the information in working memory. Common delay periods used in research, including our study, are 0 seconds, 4 seconds, and 12 seconds.The outcome measure shows the reaction time for each of these variables. | Participants underwent three consecutive optimal and three consecutive suboptimal neuromodulation sessions in a randomized sequence. The optimal and suboptimal sessions were separated by at least one week to allow the effects of the stimulation to dissipate. the DMTS task consisted of three conditions including 0 sec, 4 sec, and 12 sec delay conditions. Four subjects who completed the study were not included in the analysis due to technical issues leading to unreliable or missing data. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | Reaction Time (sec) | Up to 1 month |
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| Primary | Accuracy Changes in the Delayed Matching to Sample Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a working memory task (Delayed Match to Sample). The delay period reflects how long participants can retain the information in working memory. Common delay periods used in research, including our study, are 0 seconds, 4 seconds, and 12 seconds.The outcome measure shows the accuracy for each of these variables. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | Percentage | Up to 1 month |
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| Secondary | Reaction Time Changes in the Reaction Time Index Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a reaction time index task that acted as a control task. The outcome measure shows the reaction time. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | Seconds | Up to 1 month |
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| Secondary | Movement Time Changes in the Reaction Time Index Task Following Optimal vs. Suboptimal rTMS Stimulation | Each subject completes two 3-day neuromodulation sessions, one using their 'optimal' rTMS frequency, and the other using their 'suboptimal' rTMS frequency, as determined by their TMS/fMRI visit. After each neuromodulation session, subjects complete a reaction time index task that acted as a control task. The outcome measure shows the movement time. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | seconds | Up to 1 month |
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| 0 |
| 24 |
| 0 |
| 24 |
| 4 |
| 24 |
| EG001 | Sub-Optimal rTMS Frequency | Three consecutive days of rTMS using their individualized sub-optimal TMS frequency. | 0 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 24 |
| Jaw and Facial Muscle Soreness | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Systematic Assessment |
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| Tear Formation | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Systematic Assessment |
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| Anxiety/Panic/Discomfort | Nervous system disorders | Systematic Assessment | Anxiety, panic, or discomfort from procedures completed at the MRI scanner. |
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| D055909 |
| Magnetic Field Therapy |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| Reaction Time (4 sec delay) |
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| Reaction Time (12 sec delay) |
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| Accuracy (4 sec delay) |
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| Accuracy (12 sec delay) |
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