A Retrospective Chart Review of 10 Hz Versus 20 Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

We performed a retrospective chart review to examine the progressof patients with depression who received different frequencies of repetitivetranscranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontalcortex (DLPFC). rTMS is a safe and effective alternative treatment for patients withvarious psychological and medical conditions. During treatment, a coil delivering atime-varying magnetic pulse placed over the scalp penetrates the skull, resulting inclinical improvement. There were 47 patients and three distinct treatment groups found:10 Hz, 20 Hz, and a separate group who received both frequencies (10/20 Hz). The primaryoutcome indicator was the difference in Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II) scores.Secondary outcomes included categorical indicators of remission, response, and partialresponse rates as assessed with the BDI-II. In all 3 groups, the majority of patientshad depression that remitted, with the highest rate occurring in the 20 Hz group. Therewere similar response rates in the 10 Hz and 20 Hz groups. There were no patients in the10/20 Hz group whose depression responded and the highest partial response andnonresponse rates occurred in this group. Although within-group differences weresignificant from baseline to end of treatment, there were no between-groupdifferences