Accelerated theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression in South Africa
This case series documents local experience using accelerated theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a supplementary treatment for depression in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Nine consenting patients (MDD = 7; BD = 2) each received 20 acc...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2019-11-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1346 |
| Summary: | This case series documents local experience using accelerated theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a supplementary treatment for depression in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Nine consenting patients (MDD = 7; BD = 2) each received 20 accelerated theta-burst sessions over 8 days. Improvement was monitored using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale at baseline, at day 5 and at day 8 of rTMS treatment. We performed a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test to determine whether there was a difference in scores from baseline to post-treatment. The CES-D scores decreased significantly from baseline to post-treatment (Z = −2.547, p = 0.011) with five patients experiencing at least a 50% symptom reduction on the CES-D. CGI severity scores also decreased significantly between baseline and post-treatment (Z = −2.547, p = 0.011). The most commonly reported adverse effect was mild headaches, lasting a few hours during and after rTMS treatment. The findings suggest that the accelerated theta-burst rTMS protocol for depression is well tolerated with most patients also experiencing symptomatic improvement by day 8. |
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| ISSN: | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |