scholarly journals Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of depression

2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (6) ◽  
pp. 480-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luis R. Martin ◽  
Manuel J. Barbanoj ◽  
Thomas E. Schlaepfer ◽  
Elinor Thompson ◽  
Víctor Pérez ◽  
...  

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be useful in the treatment of depression but results from trials have been inconclusive to date.AimsTo assess the efficacy of rTMS in treating depression.MethodWe conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials that compared rTMS with sham in patients with depression. We assessed the quality of design of all studies and conducted a metaanalysis of data from trials with similar rTMS delivery.ResultsWe included a total of 14 trials. The quality of the included studies was low. Pooled analysis using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression showed an effect in favour of rTMS compared with sham after 2 weeks of treatment (standardised mean difference=–0.35; 95% CI –0.66 to –0.04), but this was not significant at the 2-week follow-up (standardised mean difference= — 0.33; 95% CI —0.84 to 0.17).ConclusionsCurrent trials are of low quality and provide insufficient evidence to support the use of rTMS in the treatment of depression.

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Chiara Arici ◽  
Beatrice Benatti ◽  
Rita Cafaro ◽  
Laura Cremaschi ◽  
Luca Degoni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little is known about the post-acute effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with major depression. The present study focused on the 6-month follow-up of a sample of patients with major depression, after the completion of an acute 4 weeks rTMS trial, with the aim of evaluating response (in terms of sustained and late response) and relapse rates. Methods Following the completion of an acute trial of rTMS (T0-T4), 31 drug-resistant depressed patients (bipolar or unipolar) entered a naturalistic follow-up period of 6 months, with three timepoints (T5, T6, and T7) during which they were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale. Results Results showed that in the 6 months following an acute transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) trial, a higher rate of late responders was observed among previously acute TMS nonresponders (63.64%, 7 out of 11) compared to the rate of relapse among those who had acutely responded to TMS (10%, 2 out of 20). In addition, an overall high rate of maintained response (90%) was observed. Conclusion Present findings seem to support the possibility of obtaining a clinical response also after the end of an acute TMS trial in patients with major depression. The concomitant low rate of relapse observed at the end of follow-up along with a high rate of maintained response provides further support to the post-acute efficacy of TMS. Nonetheless, further controlled studies, with larger samples and longer follow-up observation, are needed to confirm the reported results.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e021531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethan Dalton ◽  
Savani Bartholdy ◽  
Jessica McClelland ◽  
Maria Kekic ◽  
Samantha J Rennalls ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTreatment options for severe, enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) are limited. Non-invasive neuromodulation is a promising emerging intervention. Our study is a feasibility randomised controlled trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in individuals with SE-AN, which aims to inform the design of a future large-scale trial.DesignDouble-blind, parallel group, two-arm, sham-controlled trial.SettingSpecialist eating disorders centre.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling people with anorexia nervosa, an illness duration of ≥3 years and at least one previous completed treatment.InterventionsParticipants received 20 sessions (administered over 4 weeks) of MRI-guided real or sham high-frequency rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in addition to treatment-as-usual.OutcomesPrimary outcomes were recruitment, attendance and retention rates. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), eating disorder symptoms, mood, quality of life and rTMS safety and tolerability. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment and follow-up (ie, at 0 month, 1 month and 4 months post-randomisation).ResultsThirty-four participants (17 per group) were randomly allocated to real or sham rTMS. One participant per group was withdrawn prior to the intervention due to safety concerns. Two participants (both receiving sham) did not complete the treatment. rTMS was safe and well tolerated. Between-group effect sizes of change scores (baseline to follow-up) were small for BMI (d=0.2, 95% CI −0.49 to 0.90) and eating disorder symptoms (d=0.1, 95% CI −0.60 to 0.79), medium for quality of life and moderate to large (d=0.61 to 1.0) for mood outcomes, all favouring rTMS over sham.ConclusionsThe treatment protocol is feasible and acceptable to participants. Outcomes provide preliminary evidence for the therapeutic potential of rTMS in SE-AN. Largest effects were observed on variables assessing mood. This study supports the need for a larger confirmatory trial to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-session rTMS in SE-AN. Future studies should include a longer follow-up period and an assessment of cost-effectiveness.Trial registration numberISRCTN14329415; Pre-results.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beppe Micallef-Trigona

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the longest standing psychiatric treatment available and has unequivocal benefit in severe depression. However this treatment comes with a number of side effects such as memory impairment. On the other hand, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a relatively new form of treatment which has been shown to be efficacious in patients suffering from a number of psychopathologies, including severe depression, with few reported side effects. Due to its potential therapeutic efficacy and lack of side effects, rTMS has gained traction in the treatment of depression, with a number of authors keen to see it take over from ECT. However, it is not clear whether rTMS represents a therapeutic alternative to ECT. This meta-analysis will therefore compare the “gold standard” treatment for severe depression, with the relatively new but promising rTMS. A literature search will be performed with the intention to include all randomised clinical trials. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the antidepressant efficacy between the two types of treatment modalities. Statistical analysis of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores will be performed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117957351987130
Author(s):  
Hercílio Barbosa da Silva Júnior ◽  
Marcos Rassi Fernandes ◽  
Ângela Maria Costa Souza

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is a serious psychiatric complication often reported after a stroke. Nearly a third of stroke survivors experience depressive symptoms at some point, affecting their functional recovery and quality of life. In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been studied by many researchers and found to be a safe supporting tool for the treatment of PSD. Objective: We aim to evaluate the effects of rTMS on PSD and on the quality of life of poststroke patients. Method: A prospective clinical case series, performed at CRER Rehabilitation, Brazil, between June 2016 and May 2017. A nonprobabilistic sample (n = 15) was divided into 2 groups (excitatory stimulation in F3, n = 8; inhibitory stimulation in F4, n = 7) and underwent 20 sessions of rTMS. Individuals were assessed according to the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire at 3 different moments: baseline, at the end of the treatment, and in a 1-month follow-up meeting. Results: Both groups presented a significant change in the score of all WHOQOL-BREF domains and in HAM-D17. In the group that received inhibitory stimulation (F4), score changes were continuous and gradual, comparing the 3 moments. In the excitatory stimulated (F3) group, however, the improvement in scores was more expressive between baseline and the second moment, without significant changes in the follow-up. Conclusions: The findings of this clinical study suggest that rTMS can be a promising tool, capable of relieving depressive symptoms and helping in the improvement of poststroke patients’ quality of life.


2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (5) ◽  
pp. 410-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja C. Schulze-Rauschenbach ◽  
Uta Harms ◽  
Thomas E. Schlaepfer ◽  
Wolfgang Maier ◽  
Peter Falkai ◽  
...  

BackgroundStudies have compared electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with regard to clinical efficacy in the treatment of depression, but no study has yet addressed the differential impact on cognition.AimsTo compare the neurocognitive effects of unilateral ECT and rTMS.MethodThirty patients with treatment-refractory non-psychotic major depression received an average of ten treatments with either unilateral ECT or left prefrontal rTMS and were assessed for objective and subjective cognitive impairments before and about a week after treatment.ResultsTreatment response was comparable (46% of the ECT group and 44% of the rTMS group showed a reduction of 50% or more in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores). In patients treated with rTMS, cognitive performance remained constant or improved and memory complaints alleviated, whereas in the ECT group memory recall deficits emerged and memory complaints remained.ConclusionsIn contrastto unilateral ECT, rTMS has no adverse memory effects.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1142-1142
Author(s):  
M. He ◽  
Z. Gu ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
H. Shi

Background and purposeThe conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has some inadequate of efficacy weak and inadequate for the treatment of depression, easy symptomatic recurrence when stop the treatment. Ours invented the device of sleep electroencephalogram-modulated rTMS (SEM-rTMS) were safe and effective by proved of the animal experiments and clinical pre-test for the treatment of depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of SEM-rTMS for the treatment of depression.MethodsAfter 7 days without psychoactive medication, 164 patients with clinically defined depression, were randomly assigned to receive SEM-rTMS (N = 57), conventional rTMS (C-rTMS (N = 55), or sham-rTMS (N = 52) for 30 minutes/time/day for 10 days. Before and after scores on the 24-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-24) and the clinical outcome at the 10th-day of therapy for all subjects were analyzed.ResultsTwenty two cases in the SEM-rTMS group improved mood as compared to 6 in the C-rTMS group and 2 in the sham-rTMS group (c2 = 15.89, p = 0.0004). After completion of the rTMS phase of the protocol, a (51 ± 5) % reduction of HAMD-24 scores from the baseline in the SEM-rTMS group compared with a (34 ± 4)% in the C-rTMS group ((q = 26.09, p = 0.001) and a (14 ± 3)% in Sham-rTMS group (q = 57.53,p = 0.000). The 88% total efficacy ratio in the SEM-rTMS group was significant higher than 68% in the C-rTMS group and 20% in the sham-rTMS group (c2 = 12.01, p = 0.0025). No significant side effects were noted.ConclusionIt is efficient and safe to treat depression with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. (The registration. No: ChiCTR-TRC-00000438).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Juliana Teti Mayer ◽  
Caroline Masse ◽  
Gilles Chopard ◽  
Magali Nicolier ◽  
Matthieu Bereau ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with progressive memory loss and decline in executive functions, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms. Patients usually consider quality of life (QoL) and mood as more important for their health status than disease-specific physical and mental symptoms. In this open-label uncontrolled trial, 12 subjects diagnosed with AD underwent 10 sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (10 Hz, 20 min, 2000 pulses/day, 110% MT). Outcomes were measured before and 30 days after treatment. Our primary objective was to test the efficacy of rTMS as an add-on treatment for AD on the global cognitive function, assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). As secondary objectives, the detailed effect on cognitive functions, depression and anxiety symptoms, QoL, and functionality in daily life activities were evaluated, as well as correlations between QoL and cognition, depression and anxiety scores. The treatment significantly enhanced semantic memory and reduced anxiety. Improvement of these features in AD could become an important target for treatment strategies. Although limited by its design, this trial may contribute with another perspective on the analysis and the impact of rTMS on AD.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingping Sun ◽  
Lei Fang ◽  
Jianzhong Zhang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Guodong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood pain syndrome. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy and is commonly applied for the management of fibromyalgia. However, controversy regarding its efficacy remains. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for fibromyalgia syndrome. Method Four medical databases and one physiotherapy database were screened for randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety score, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Short Form-36 general health survey mental score, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were set as outcome measures. Results Analysis of 14 studies and 433 participants indicated that rTMS exerted more favorable effects on the NPRS than sham rTMS after treatment (standardized mean difference = −0.49, 95% confidence interval = −0.86 to − 0.13, P = 0.008, I2 = 68%) and FIQ (standardized mean difference = −0.50, 95% confidence interval = −0.75 to − 0.25, P = 0.0001, I2 = 28%). However, the BDI, FSS, PCS, mood index, and HADS scores showed no significant difference compared with sham rTMS after treatment. The mean methodological quality of included studies was an acceptable score of 8.5 based on the PEDro scale, suggesting the validity of our conclusions. Conclusion This study demonstrated that rTMS relieved pain and enhanced quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia; however, it did not improve anxiety, depression, and other symptoms based on current reports.


2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 280-285
Author(s):  
Milica Jovicic ◽  
Sasa Radovanovic ◽  
Nadja Maric ◽  
Vladimir Kostic

Introduction. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a method of brain stimulation which is increasingly used in both clinical practice and research. Up-to-date studies have pointed out a potential antidepressive effect of rTMS, but definitive superiority over placebo has not yet been confirmed. Objective. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of rTMS as an adjuvant treatment with antidepressants during 18 weeks of evaluation starting from the initial application of the protocol. Methods. Four patients with the diagnosis of moderate/severe major depression were included in the study. The protocol involved 2000 stimuli per day (rTMS frequency of 10 Hz, intensity of 120% motor threshold) administered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 15 days. Subjective and objective depressive symptoms were measured before the initiation of rTMS and repeatedly evaluated at week 3, 6, 12 and 18 from the beginning of the stimulation. Results. After completion of rTMS protocol two patients demonstrated a reduction of depressive symptoms that was sustained throughout the 15-week follow-up period. One patient showed a tendency of remission during the first 12 weeks of the study, but relapsed in week 18. One patient showed no significant symptom reduction at any point of follow-up. Conclusion. Preliminary findings suggest that rTMS has a good tolerability and can be efficient in accelerating the effect of antidepressants, particularly in individuals with shorter duration of depressive episodes and moderate symptom severity.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document