Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of major depression — a pilot study

Abstract Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a diagnostic method well established in neurology. As some effects of TMS are similar to those of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), we looked for an antidepressant efficacy of TMS in a semi‐blinded monocentric pilot study. Fifteen patients with Major Depression (DSM‐III‐R) were included. Ten patients were randomized into two groups and treated with 250 transcranial magnetic stimuli/session for five consecutive days. Stimulus intensity in the two groups was motoric threshold ± 0.3 tesla respectively. Five patients received placebo stimulation in a similar setting. As assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Adjective Mood Scale of von Zerssen (Bf‐S/Bf‐S'), there was an improvement of depressive symptoms in both verum groups, more pronounced in the ‘stimulation below threshold’ group. Patients in the placebo group did not benefit from stimulation. Our data suggest that TMS might indeed have a relevant antidepressive efficacy.