Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a new technology which holds promise as a treatment of psychiatric disorders. It has been applied on an experimental basis in range conditions. Current evidence reveals an important antidepressant effect. This paper reviews and comments the main publications where TMS was used for depression. A large number of animal studies and introductory clinical studies suggests that fast frequency repetitive TMS (FF-rTMS) has an antidepressant action. There have been eight blind sham controlled studies. In one too few pulses may have been provided, such that the active stimulus may have been inadequate. In another, the sham may have been active. All of the remaining six studies showed a significant antidepressant action for the active treatment. There have been two blind comparisons of FF-rTMS and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In one, FF-rTMS was shown to have an antidepressant effect approaching that of ECT. In the other, in non-delusional major depression, although a sub analysis result, FF-rTMS had an antidepressant effect the same at that of ECT.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Mental health services
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Mental health
UTAS Author:	Pridmore, S (Professor Saxby Pridmore)
ID Code:	23770
Year Published:	2002
Deposited By:	Psychiatry
Deposited On:	2002-08-01
Last Modified:	2003-04-02
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