Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with and without Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the Treatment of Resistant Depression: Patient-centered Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Background

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is considered one of the major clinical challenges in the field of psychiatry. At least 15% of all patients with MDD remain refractory to any treatment intervention. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is considered a treatment option for patients with TRD. Additionally, iCBT is an evidence-based psychotherapy for the management of TRD.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of adding iCBT to rTMS treatment as an innovative combined intervention, exploring the short and long-term outcomes on patients with TRD

Methods

This study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants diagnosed with TRD were randomized to one of two interventions: rTMS alone and rTMS+iCBT. Each group completed evaluation measures at baseline, discharge (6 weeks), and one & three months after discharge. The primary outcome measure was the mean change in the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17) from baseline to three months.

Results

Preliminary results for the early outcome of the study showed that after adjusting for the baseline scores, there was no significant difference in the mean score of HAMD-17 from baseline to six weeks between the participants of the two groups, (F (1, 53) = 0.15, p = 0.70, partial eta square = 0.003). The result of the long-term effectiveness is underway, forecasting the potential synergism of the two interventions.

Conclusions

This study found the combined treatment of rTMS + iCBT not to be superior to treatment with rTMS alone, in the short term. We hope the long-term results would thoroughly address the effectiveness of the combined therapy in this randomized controlled trial.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared