Publication Reference
Yan, T., Xie, Q., Zheng, Z., Zou, K., & Wang, L. (2017). Different frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of psychiatric research, 89, 125-135.
Article Summary*
This meta-analysis reviewed the data from 11 studies investigating rTMS treatment in PTSD, covering 217 patients in active rTMS and 160 sham-controls. Active rTMS was associated with significant reductions in clinician and self-reported measures of PTSD, depression, and anxiety compared to pre-treatment. However, only patient-reported measures of PTSD and anxiety were significantly reduced post-treatment compared to sham-control scores. This was proposed to be possibly due to the active group also being observed to have significantly more severe PTSD symptoms pre-treatment, which may have affected the final comparison. In more specific analysis the authors discuss differences in the results of low and high frequency rTMS over the left or right DLPFC. Although benefits were observed across all protocols, there may be differences in the sub-symptoms targeted by each, as well as differing benefits for comorbid anxiety or depression.
*For original abstract/publication see the link below.