Is Maintenance Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Patients With Depression a Valid Therapeutic Strategy?

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is now a well-established intervention used in the management of acute episodes of major depressive disorder. However, a smaller body of research has explored the use of rTMS as a maintenance strategy to reduce depressive relapse. The research conducted to date does suggest that rTMS can be usefully applied as a maintenance antidepressant strategy but further research is required to define the optimal parameters to achieve the greatest clinical outcome.