Objective: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been shown to be a useful therapy for depression. This paper evaluates the results of bi-weekly low-frequency TMS of 4 weeks duration, in 10 patients with depression who do not respond or are intolerant to antidepressive medication. Methods. This is a case series study. DMS-IV criteria were used to diagnose depression. In order to disclose possible improvements in depressive symptoms, the 17 items Hamilton scale was used at three different moments: at the beginning, middle and end of the treatment period. Results were analysed using Friedman's x2 test. Results: Hamilton's scale score improvement was ≥ 50% in five patients and ≥ 75% in 3 of these. Conclusions: TMS may be efficacious, safe and easily performed as an adjunct to medical treatment of depression. We cannot differentiate a potentiation of the effect of antidepressive medication from an intrinsic effect of TMS alone, since we did not treat any subjects without the concurrent use of medication.
CITATION STYLE
Boechat-Barros, R., & Brasil-Neto, J. P. (2004). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in depression: Results of bi-weekly treatment. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 26(2), 100–102. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462004000200006
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