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A pilot study of magnetic seizure therapy for treatment‐resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder
Author(s) -
Tang Victor M.,
Blumberger Daniel M.,
Weissman Cory R.,
Dimitrova Julia,
Throop Alanah,
McClintock Shawn M.,
Voineskos Daphne,
Rajji Tarek K.,
Downar Jonathan,
Knyahnytska Yuliya,
Mulsant Benoit H.,
Fitzgerald Paul B.,
Daskalakis Zafiris J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.23097
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , adverse effect , quality of life (healthcare) , treatment resistant depression , clinical global impression , psychology , psychiatry , electroconvulsive therapy , clinical psychology , beck depression inventory , transcranial magnetic stimulation , medicine , major depressive disorder , cognition , anxiety , psychotherapist , stimulation , placebo , alternative medicine , pathology
Background There is growing interest in the potential of neuromodulation options in treatment‐resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Magnetic seizure therapy (MST), is a new treatment intervention in which generalized seizures are induced with transcranial magnetic stimulation. We conducted a pilot study to assess the efficacy and cognitive effects of MST in patients with treatment‐resistant OCD. Methods In an open‐label pilot study, participants with treatment‐resistant OCD and a baseline Yale‐Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y‐BOCS) scores of ≥16 were treated with up to 24 acute treatments. The primary clinical outcomes were clinical response (Y‐BOCS score reduction ≥30%) and remission (final Y‐BOCS score ≤8). A neurocognitive battery, the Quick Inventory for Depressive Symptoms–Self Report (QIDS‐SR), the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI), and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire‐Short Form (Q‐LES‐Q‐SF) were also completed as secondary measures. Results Ten participants with OCD who had not responded to medications or psychotherapy enrolled in the study and seven completed an adequate trial (defined as ≥8 treatments). MST was associated with minimal cognitive effects except for some decrease in autobiographical memory and no serious adverse effects. Only one participant met the predefined criteria for response, and none for remission. The baseline and endpoint Y‐BOCS scores were not statistically different. Conclusion Overall, MST was not beneficial in a small group of patients with treatment‐resistant OCD. At this time, other studies of MST for OCD are not warranted until different coil placements targeting other brain circuits can be proposed.