Effectiveness and acceptability of accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: an open label trial

Alexander McGirr; Frederique Van den Eynde; Santiago Tovar-Perdomo; Marcelo P A Fleck; Marcelo T Berlim

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.068

Effectiveness and acceptability of accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: an open label trial

J Affect Disord. 2015 Mar 1;173:216-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.068. Epub 2014 Nov 11.

Authors

Alexander McGirr¹, Frederique Van den Eynde², Santiago Tovar-Perdomo², Marcelo P A Fleck³, Marcelo T Berlim⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: Alexander.McGirr@alumni.ubc.ca.
² Neuromodulation Research Clinic, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
³ Depressive Disorders Program, Douglas Mental Health University Institute and McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Neuromodulation Research Clinic, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
⁴ Depressive Disorders Program, Douglas Mental Health University Institute and McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Neuromodulation Research Clinic, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: nrc.douglas@me.com.

PMID: 25462419
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.068

Abstract

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant cause of worldwide disability and treatment resistance is common. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has emerged as a treatment for MDD, and while efficacious, the daily commitment for typical 4-6 weeks of treatment poses a significant challenge. We aimed to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of an accelerated rTMS protocol for MDD.

Methods: In this naturalistic trial, 27 patients with moderate to severe chronic and treatment-resistant MDD were treated with twice-daily HF-rTMS (10 Hz) applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 2 consecutive weeks (60,000 pulses). The primary outcomes were rates of clinical remission and response (16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology post-treatment score ≤ 6, and ≥ 50% reduction, respectively). Secondary outcomes were self-reported anxious symptoms, depressive symptoms and quality of life, and dropout rates as a proxy for acceptability.

Results: Ten (37.0%) patients met criteria for clinical remission and 15 (55.6%) were classified as responders, with comparable outcomes for both moderate and severe MDD. Clinician-rated improvements in depressive symptoms were paralleled in self-reported depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as quality of life. No patient discontinued treatment.

Limitations: This study is limited by short treatment duration that might be lengthened with corresponding improvements in effectiveness, limited duration of follow-up, small sample size, and an open-label design requiring randomized controlled replication.

Conclusion: An accelerated protocol involving twice-daily sessions of HF-rTMS over the left DLPFC for 2 weeks was effective in treatment-resistant MDD, and had excellent acceptability. Additional research is required to optimize accelerated rTMS treatment protocols and determine efficacy using sham-controlled trials.

Keywords: Accelerated rTMS; High-frequency rTMS; Major depressive disorder; Open-label trial; RTMS; Treatment resistant depression.

Publication types

Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
Combined Modality Therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / drug therapy
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / therapy*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antidepressive Agents