Swedish study shows magnetic brain stimulation works for depression resistant to drugs

<p>Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established treatment of depression. The more recently introduced intermittent Theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) has shown significant superiority over sham-stimulation and equal effect sizes to a 10 Hz protocol in one clinical trial. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of iTBS in a naturalistic, clinical setting. Further, we explored demographical and clinical predictors of response.</p><p>Methods: Data was collected from seventeen rTMS-sites in Sweden between January 2018 and May 2021, through the Swedish National Quality register for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Q-rTMS). We included 542 iTBS-treated patients with unipolar or bipolar depression. Outcome was assessed with Clinical Global Impression Severity and Improvement scores in an intention to treat analysis.</p><p>Results: The response rate was 42.1 % and 16.1 % reached remission. The response rate was significantly larger in the oldest age group compared to the youngest (odds ratio 3.46, 95 % confidence interval 1.65-7.22). Less severe level of depression (Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale self-assessment &lt; 36) at baseline predicted response and remission. Only &lt;1 % were much or very much worse after treatment. Drop-out rate was 10.9 %. No serious adverse events were reported.</p><p>Limitations: Retrospective analysis of register data. No comparison group.</p><p>Conclusions: In a clinical setting, iTBS was shown to be safe and tolerable and the response rate was similar to that reported from clinical trials. Older age-group and less severe illness predicted response.</p>