Highlights
- •rTMS delivered to the left DLPFC was effective in inducing weight loss and decreasing food intake in obese patients.
- •rTMS treatment had beneficial effects on improving insulin resistance.
- •rTMS reduced cardiometabolic risks associated with obesity.
- •rTMS for the treatment of obesity may be an effective means of weight reduction.
Abstract
Background
Although some studies have reported significant reductions in food cravings following
repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), none have examined changes in
body weight.
Objective
We conducted 2-week randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind, parallel-group trial
to examine the effect of rTMS on body weight in obese patients.
Methods
Sixty obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. A total of 4 sessions of rTMS targeting
the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was provided over a period of 2 weeks,
with a follow-up assessment conducted two weeks after treatment had finished. The
primary outcome measure was weight change in kilograms from baseline to 4 weeks. Secondary
endpoints included changes in anthropometric measures, cardiovascular risk factors,
food intake, and appetite.
Results
Of the 60 volunteers, 57 completed the 4-week follow-up (29 in the TMS group and 28
in the sham treatment group). Participants in the rTMS group showed significantly
greater weight loss from baseline following the 4 session of rTMS (p = 0.002). Consistent with weight loss, there was a significant reduction in BMI,
fat mass and VAT at week 4 in the rTMS group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After the 4 sessions of rTMS, the TMS group consumed fewer total kilocalories
per day than the control group (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
rTMS delivered to the left DLPFC was effective in decreasing food intake and facilitating
weight loss in obese patients. The results of this study suggest that rTMS could be
an effective treatment option for obesity.
Trial registration
Clinical trial registered with the Clinical Trials Tegistry at https://cris.nih.go.kr (KCT0001455).
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 30, 2017
Accepted:
November 28,
2017
Received in revised form:
November 22,
2017
Received:
January 15,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.
