Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Influence on Stress and Early Responsiveness Outcomes for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Amalia Badawi, Zachary Steel, Nalin Wijesinghe, David Berle*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The present study investigated whether rTMS treatment for depression reduced stress and whether early responsiveness of rTMS predicted outcomes for depression, anxiety, and stress at the conclusion of treatment. Participants (n = 109) were inpatients at a psychiatric hospital referred for rTMS for depression. Linear mixed models were used to analyse data across time and regression analyses were used to assess early responsiveness. Effect sizes, and clinically significant and reliable change were also analysed. Decreases in scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were evident from pre- to mid-treatment, and from mid- to post-treatment. Large effect sizes were reported from pre- to post-treatment for depression and stress. Changes in depression from pre- to mid-treatment predicted post-treatment depression and stress scores. Clinically significant change was most common for stress and reliable change was most common for depression. Standard rTMS treatment for depression appears to have non-specific benefits in that participant anxiety and stress ratings also improve significantly. Early improvements in depressive symptoms may be indicative of later depression and stress outcomes, suggesting clinical benefit in assessing outcomes during rTMS treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)385-391
Number of pages7
JournalPsychiatric Quarterly
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes

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