Bilateral rTMS Shows No Advantage in Depression nor in Comorbid Depression and Anxiety: A Large Naturalistic Study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.06.061
• Publication Date: 2020-12-03T00:48:15Z
• Authors: Rebecca M. Allen; James M. Scanlan; Larissa Gama-Chonlon
• Keywords: Depression; Patient Health Questionnaire

Background: The objective was to determine if adding low-frequency (LF) right-sided rTMS treatment the standard high-frequency (HF) left-sided treatment, together referred as bilateral confers any additional benefit for depressive or anxiety outcomes. Design/Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients treated with conducted, from January 2015 through December 2018, yielding 361 patients. All were a figure-of-8 coil major episode, and their protocol either HF treatment. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) outcome measure, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression measure. Results: There no significant difference in GAD-7 change scores between who had unilateral (GAD change=4.2) versus change=4.5). Unilateral greater improvement PHQ-9 than (7.2 vs. 5.0; P=.011). Patients switching mid-course overall poorer outcomes did not. Conclusions: This large, naturalistic study shows advantage group condition examined, outcomes, there may be deficit results this have clinical applicability sound cautionary note regarding use combination protocols given time expense treatments.