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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is associated with increased abstinence in substance use disorders and comorbid depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

S. El Hayek*
Affiliation:
1Erada Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
H. Tolba
Affiliation:
1Erada Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A. Elmougy
Affiliation:
1Erada Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
W. Foad
Affiliation:
1Erada Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are associated with high rates of comorbid depression. Finding effective treatments for many of the substances of abuse is still an area of developing research. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established treatment for depression, but its effects in SUDs are less conclusive.

Objectives

Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of rTMS in patients with SUDs and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 55 patients with SUDs and comorbid MDD who were eligible for rTMS. Craving was measured using the Brief Substance Craving Scale (BSCS). Severity of MDD was measured using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale.

Results

We found a statistically significant difference between baseline and posttreatment scores in patients receiving rTMS on both CGI-S scores and BSCS scores. The number of rTMS sessions significantly predicted increased days of abstinence in the community, even after controlling for confounders.

Conclusions

Patients with SUDs and MDD who received rTMS significantly improved in the areas of severity of depression and craving. The number of rTMS sessions significantly predicted increased abstinence.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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