Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex in Social Anxiety Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: Eligible participants must be right-handed individuals aged 16 to 70 years who meet the diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). If participants are taking concurrent psychiatric medications, their dosage must have been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Additionally, all individuals must voluntarily agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals will be excluded if they have a history of neurological disorders or other severe somatic diseases, including but not limited to seizures, central nervous system tumors, stroke, or brain aneurysms. Participants meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for other primary psychiatric disorders-such as schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders, depressive disorders, other anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, or somatic symptom and related disorders-are also ineligible. Furthermore, the study excludes those with metallic implants in the head or neck, any other clear contraindications to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), or a previous history of receiving TMS treatment, which is restricted to prevent potential unblinding. Finally, current use, or use within the past 4 weeks, of adequate doses of benzodiazepines for more than 2 weeks is an exclusion criterion, as it may limit the therapeutic efficacy of TMS.