SOURCE: Journal of Affective Disorders. 329:50-54, 2023 May 15.
AUTHORS: Ekman CJ; Popiolek K; Boden R; Nordenskjold A; Lundberg J
ABSTRACT
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.
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.
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 < 36) at baseline predicted response and remission. Only <1 % were much or very much worse after treatment. Drop-out rate was 10.9 %. No serious adverse events were reported.
LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis of register data. No comparison group.
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.
LINK TO FULL ARTICLE: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723002604?via%3Dihub
