Abstract
BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is considered an efficacious non-invasive neuromodulation treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, little is known about the clinical outcome of combined rTMS and psychotherapy (rTMS + PT). Through common neurobiological brain mechanisms, rTMS + PT may exert enhanced antidepressant effects compared to the respective monotherapies.
OBJECTIVE: The current naturalistic study aimed to evaluate feasibility and clinical outcome of rTMS + PT in a large group of MDD patients. The second aim was to identify clinical predictors of response and remission.
METHODS: A total of 196 patients with MDD were treated with at least 10 sessions of simultaneous rTMS and PT. rTMS was applied over the DLPFC, either 10 Hz left or 1 Hz right. Psychotherapy was based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Symptoms were measured using the BDI each fifth session until end of treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Comparisons were made between responders and non-responders, as well as between the 10 Hz and 1 Hz protocol. Additionally, baseline variables and early BDI change were evaluated as predictors of response/remission.
MAJOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: 1) Combining rTMS and PT resulted in a 66% response and a 56% remission rate at the end of treatment with 60% sustained remission at follow-up. Compared to previous findings in RCTs, these rates are relatively high; 2) No differences were found between the 10 Hz and 1 Hz TMS regarding clinical outcome; 3) Clinical baseline variables were not predictive of treatment outcomes; 4) Early symptom improvement (at session 10) was highly predictive of response, and may therefore be used to guide rTMS + PT continuation; 5) Based on the current findings in a large naturalistic study, future studies employing a more standardized method are warranted to draw solid conclusions on the unique effect of rTMS + PT.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 337–345 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Brain stimulation |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 11 Nov 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2018 |
Keywords
- Journal Article
- Clinical predictors
- Treatment outcome
- DORSOLATERAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX
- TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION
- STAR-ASTERISK-D
- METAANALYSIS
- EFFICACY
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
- TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
- COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- DOUBLE-BLIND
- SHAM-CONTROLLED TRIALS
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods
- Psychotherapy/methods
- Depressive Disorder, Major/therapy
- Adult
- Female