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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Neurostimulation
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1504727
This article is part of the Research Topic Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD): epidemiology, clinic, burden and treatment View all 20 articles

A Meta-Analysis comparing the Effectiveness and Safety of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Theta Burst Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Provisionally accepted
Liao Ming Sheng Liao Ming Sheng *xiao tao xiao tao zheng wen jing zheng wen jing wang Kui Yuan wang Kui Yuan Guo Hui Yun Guo Hui Yun Xie Jian Fang Xie Jian Fang
  • Ganzhou Third People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study compares the safety and effectiveness of theta-burst stimulation (TBS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods: We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated rTMS and TBS in managing TRD. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for studies published up to July 31, 2024. Data from these studies were analyzed using statistical software. Results: Five RCTs involving 1,196 patients were included, with 553 receiving rTMS and 663 receiving TBS. The analysis found no significant differences between rTMS and TBS in reducing depression [SMD = -0.07, 95% CI (-0.19, 0.04)] or anxiety [SMD = -0.02, 95% CI (-0.15, 0.11)], nor in side effects like headaches [OR = 1.00, 95% CI (0.72, 1.40)], nausea [OR = 1.42, 95% CI (0.79, 2.54)], or fatigue [OR = 0.87, 95% CI (0.46, 1.64)]. Conclusions: Both rTMS and TBS are similarly effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, with comparable side effect profiles. However, TBS is more time-efficient, with sessions lasting only 192 seconds, making it a cost-effective option for patients. These findings support TBS as a practical treatment choice for TRD.

    Keywords: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, theta burst stimulation, treatment-resistant depression, Meta-analysis, Depression

    Received: 01 Oct 2024; Accepted: 30 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Sheng, tao, jing, Yuan, Yun and Fang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Liao Ming Sheng, Ganzhou Third People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.