Journal: Brain Stimulation (2015)
Authors: Wirecki T, Stephenson C, Seale R, Davis L
Background:
The comparative efficacy of rTMS and dTMS is a topic of debate among practitioners. Data from real-world clinical settings can be informative.
Objective:
To compare rTMS and dTMS devices for the treatment of MDD.
Methods:
This study included two groups of patients with MDD. Group 1 included 45 patients (30% male, mean age=49.02) who received rTMS using figure-8 coil technology. Group 2 included 21 patients (48% male, mean age=44.90), who received dTMS using the H1 coil. In both groups, patients received TMS five days/week for 20 sessions; parameters were based on individual clinical considerations.
Results:
In Group 1, a dependent-samples t-test showed a significant difference in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores at baseline (M=33.64, SD=8.19) and after 20 rTMS treatments (M=21.00, SD=11.03); t(44)=7.60, p<0.001. Similarly, in Group 2 a dependent-samples t-test showed a significant difference in BDI scores at baseline (M=37.41, SD=9.55) and after 20 dTMS treatments (M=24.12, SD=13.63); t(20)=6.66, p<0.001. An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare mean decrease in BDI scores in the rTMS and dTMS groups. There was not a significant difference in the mean decrease in scores for the rTMS (M=12.64, SD=11.6) and dTMS (M=13.39, SD=9.14) groups; t(64)=0.25, p=0.81.
Conclusions:
Patients in both groups reported significant decreases in depressive symptomatology indicating that rTMS and dTMS are highly effective treatments. Results from this study do not provide evidence of greater efficacy of one device over the other.
Full Publication: A Comparison of rTMS and dTMS Treatment Outcomes for Major Depressive Disorder in a Real-World Clinical Practice Setting – ScienceDirect
