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5‐Hz Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression
Author(s) -
Philip Noah S.,
Ridout Samuel J.,
Albright Sarah E.,
Sanchez George,
Carpenter Linda L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.22065
Subject(s) - transcranial magnetic stimulation , depression (economics) , posttraumatic stress , psychology , comorbidity , psychiatry , clinical psychology , stimulation , medicine , neuroscience , economics , macroeconomics
Current treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) offer modest benefits, underscoring the need for new treatments. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) depolarizes neurons in a targeted brain region with magnetic fields typically pulsed at low (1 Hz) or high (10 Hz) frequency to relieve major depressive disorder (MDD). Prior work suggests an intermediate pulse frequency, 5 Hz, is also efficacious for treating comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms. In this chart review study, we systematically examined the clinical and safety outcomes in 10 patients with comorbid MDD and PTSD syndromes who received 5‐Hz rTMS therapy at the Providence VA Medical Center Neuromodulation Clinic. Self‐report scales measured illness severity prior to treatment, after every 5 treatments, and upon completion of treatment. Results showed significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD ( p = .003, effect size = 1.12, 8/10 with reliable change) and MDD ( p = .005, effect size = 1.09, 6/10 with reliable change). Stimulation was well tolerated and there were no serious adverse events. These data indicate 5‐Hz rTMS may be a useful option to treat these comorbid disorders. Larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefits of 5‐Hz protocols observed in this pilot study.