Accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depressive disorder (MDD)

Publication Reference

Modirrousta, M., Meek, B. P., & Wikstrom, S. L. (2018). Efficacy of twice-daily vs once-daily sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a retrospective study. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment14, 309.

 

Article Summary*

This study investigated whether accelerated rTMS could be as effective and tolerable as standard duration rTMS in 36 individuals with MDD. Patients were randomized to receive 3000 pulses of 10Hz stimulation to the left DLPFC either once a day (OD; n = 19) or twice a day (TD; n = 17) for a total of 30 sessions. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was administered by a psychiatrist every tenth session. Participants across both groups responded to treatment, although there was a trend towards a greater response in individuals receiving TD stimulation versus OD stimulation (82.4% & 52.6%, respectively). Further, individuals receiving TD stimulation showed a more rapid rate of improvement than those receiving OD stimulation. TD stimulation was found to be as tolerable and effective as OD stimulation, whilst also providing a shorter treatment duration of 3 versus 6 weeks.

 

*For original abstract/publication see the link below.

 

Publication linkEfficacy of twice-daily vs once-daily sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a retrospective study (nih.gov)