Preliminary evidence for a beneficial effect of low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with major depression and schizophrenia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study was designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at low-frequency in patients with major depression and schizophrenia.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

We investigated the therapeutic effect of a course of 10 rTMS sessions in 14 subjects with major depression (MD) and 10 with schizophrenia.

PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS:

Seven of the depressed patients reported significant improvement in depressive symptomatology, and seven of the schizophrenic subjects reported amelioration of anxiety and restlessness.

CONCLUSIONS:

These preliminary results suggest that low-frequency rTMS may be beneficial mainly in MD and to some extent in schizophrenia, and support the need for controlled studies to further validate its therapeutic potential.

• Authors: M Feinsod, B Kreinin, A Chistyakov, E Klein
• Journal: Depression and anxiety (Depress Anxiety) Vol. 7 Issue 2 Pg. 65-8 ( 1998) ISSN: 1091-4269 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9614593 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Depressive Disorder, Major (diagnosis, psychology, therapy)
• Electromagnetic Fields
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prefrontal Cortex
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Schizophrenia (diagnosis, therapy)
• Schizophrenic Psychology
• Treatment Outcome