Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for generalised anxiety disorder: A pilot randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diefenbach, Gretchen J.; Bragdon, Laura B.; Zertuche, Luis; Hyatt, Christopher J.; Hallion, Lauren S.; Tolin, David F.; Goethe, John W.; Assaf, Michal
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 209:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 222
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.168203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) holds promise for treating generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) but has only been studied in uncontrolled research. Aims: This is the first randomised controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01659736) to investigate the efficacy and neural correlates of rTMS in GAD. Method: Twenty five participants (active n = 13; sham, n = 12) enrolled. rTMS was targeted at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, 1 Hz, 90% resting motor threshold). Results: Response and remission rates were higher in the active v. sham groups and there were significant group × time interactions for anxiety, worry and depressive symptoms, favouring active v. sham. In addition, right DLPFC activation during a decision-making gambling task increased at post-treatment for active rTMS only, and changes in neuroactivation correlated significantly with changes in worry symptoms. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary evidence that rTMS may improve GAD symptoms in association with modifying neural activity in the stimulation site.