Highlights
- •Large, multisite, randomized controlled trial (170 patients with resistant MDD)
- •rTMS is as effective as venlafaxine and as the combination of venlafaxine and rTMS
- •1 Hz rTMS over the right PFC might be a useful alternative treatment of TRD.
Abstract
Context
The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of low frequency repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and venlafaxine (150–225 mg/day) is effective
and safe for treatment-resistant unipolar depression (TRD).
Method
In a multicenter (18 centers) randomized double blind controlled trial with three
arms, 170 patients were allocated to receive active rTMS combined with active venlafaxine
(n = 55), active rTMS combined with placebo venlafaxine (n = 60) or sham rTMS combined with active venlafaxine (n = 55). The patients received once daily sessions of active or sham 1 Hz rTMS applied
over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (360 pulses/day delivered at 120% of
the resting motor threshold) for two to six weeks; rTMS was combined with active or
sham venlafaxine (mean dose: 179.0 ± 36.6 mg/day). The primary outcome was the number
of patients who achieved remission, which was defined as an HDRS17 score <8.
Results
We reported a similar significant antidepressant effect in the 3 groups (P < 10−6), with a comparable delay of action and a comparable number of remitters at the endpoint
(28% in the combination group, 41% in the rTMS group and 43% in the venlafaxine group;
P = 0.59).
Conclusion
Low frequency rTMS appears to be as effective as venlafaxine and as effective as the
combination of both treatments for TRD. Because of its short session duration (the
duration of one session was 8.5 min) and its safety, slow rTMS might be a useful alternative
treatment for patients with TRD.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 06, 2014
Accepted:
July 31,
2014
Received in revised form:
July 18,
2014
Received:
April 24,
2014
Footnotes
Trial registration: clinicatrials.gov NCT00714090.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
