Add-on rTMS for the acute treatment of depressive symptoms is probably more effective in adolescents than in adults: Evidence from real-world clinical practice

Background Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is considered as an effective treatment for adults with major depressive disorder. However, it remains unknown whether rTMS has comparable or better efficacy in adolescents. Objective The current naturalistic study aimed to investigate the efficacy and clinical outcome of add-on rTMS in a large sample of adolescent patients compared to adult patients. Methods This study included 117 patients (42 adolescents vs. 75 adults) with mood or anxiety disorders who were treated with at least 10 sessions of rTMS. rTMS was applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (10 Hz). Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) respectively, at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of follow-up. Comparisons of clinical improvement and rates of response/remission were made across age groups. Major findings and conclusions All the age groups showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms. No safety or tolerability concerns were identified. Symptomatic improvements and response/remission rates were more significant in adolescent patients than in adults. Decrease in HAMD and HAMA scores after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of rTMS treatment were positively correlated in adolescents, but not in adults. General linear model repeated measures demonstrated significant effect of time × age group interaction on the HAMD score, in response to 10 sessions of rTMS. Add-on rTMS is feasible, tolerable, effective and more applicable to adolescents with mood or anxiety disorders. However, double-blinded and sham-controlled trials are needed for validating this conclusion.