Non‐invasive brain stimulation for treating post‐stroke depression: A network meta‐analysis

Abstract Objective To compare the antidepressant effects and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatments in patients with post‐stroke depression (PSD). Methods We included randomized controlled trials comparing active stimulation with sham stimulation. Primary outcomes were the depression score after treatment, presented as standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Response/remission and long‐term antidepressant efficacy were also examined. We estimated effect‐size using pairwise and Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) with random‐effects model. Results We identified 33 studies (total n = 1793). In NMA, 5 of 6 treatment strategies were associated with higher effect compared with sham therapy: dual rTMS (standardized mean differences = −1.5; 95% confidence interval = −2.5 to −0.57), dual LFrTMS (−1.5, −2.4 to −0.61), dual tDCS (−1.1, −1.5 to −0.62), HFrTMS (−1.1, −1.3 to −0.85) and LFrTMS (−0.90, −1.2 to −0.6). And dual rTMS, dual LFrTMS or HFrTMS may be more effective than other interventions for achieving antidepressant effects. Regarding secondary outcomes, rTMS can promote depression remission and response, and alleviate depression for at least 1 month. rTMS and tDCS were well tolerated. Conclusions Bilateral rTMS and HFrTMS are considered top‐priority non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions for improving PSD. Dual tDCS and LFrTMS are also efficient. Significance The findings of this study provide evidence for considering NIBS techniques as alternative or add‐on treatments for patients with PSD. This work also emphasizes the need for future clinical trials to address the inadequacies identified in this review to optimize methodological quality.