Low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation can relieve depression and improve cognitive functioning among the elderly
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2023.04.010
- VernacularTitle:右侧低频rTMS对老年抑郁症患者抑郁症状及认知功能的影响
- Author:
Xueying ZHOU
1
;
Sheng ZHANG
;
Deyi XU
;
Qianyan WANG
;
Chanyuan LIU
Author Information
1. 华中科技大学同济医学院附属梨园医院精神心理科，武汉 430000
- Keywords:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation;
Depression;
Cognitive function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2023;45(4):335-340
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore any effect of repeated application of low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression and the cognition of depressed elderly persons.Methods:Eighty-six elderly persons with depression were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a control group, each of 43. In addition to anti-depressant treatment, the rTMS group was given 20 minutes of 1Hz rTMS daily applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, five times a week for 4 weeks. The control group was given sham treatment on the same schedule. Before the experiment and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of the treatment, depression in both groups was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24). At the 4- and 8-week evaluations the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A) were also administered.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in the 2 groups′ average HAMD or WCST scores. At each subsequent evaluation both groups′ average HAMD score had decreased significantly. After 3 weeks the average HAMD score of the rTMS group consistently remained significantly lower than the control group′s average. At the 4- and 8-week evaluations both groups′ WCST and TMT-A scores had improved significantly compared with before the treatment, with significantly greater improvement in the rTMS group′s average WCST result, though not in their TPT-A result. There was no signi-ficant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups.Conclusion:As a supplement to antidepressant treatment, right-side low-frequency rTMS can relieve depressive symptoms and improve the cognitive functioning of depressed elderly persons. It is well tolerated with few adverse reactions.
