Publication Reference
Dilkov, D., Hawken, E., Kaludiev, E. and Milev, R. (2017). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized, double-blind sham controlled clinical trial. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 78, pp.61-65.
Article Summary*
In this small, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, the authors investigated the benefits of 25 sessions of high frequency (20Hz) rTMS over the right DLPFC for the treatment of GAD. Participants received 6 weeks of rTMS, five times per week, with the last two weeks including tapering of treatment. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used as measurements before, during, at treatment completion, and at 4 weeks follow-up. By week 3 of active rTMS, participants showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores, which was not observed in the sham group. Clinical response was defined as ≥50% reduction of anxiety scores, which was achieved by 100% of active rTMS participants by treatment completion. Anxiety scores in the active rTMS group changed from moderate/severe to mild, with a mean reduction of 79%. Immediately after treatment, 12/15 (80%) of active rTMS participants were classed as in remission, which improved to 100% four weeks after the end of treatment. In contrast no significant improvements of anxiety scores were observed in the sham group. Depression scores were also significantly improved in the active rTMS arm, with all participants falling within ‘normal’ mood ratings by the end of study. In contrast, sham participants showed no significant improvement and remained moderately depressed.
*For original abstract/publication see the link below.