Could bipolar depressed patients respond better to rTMS than unipolar depressed patients? A naturalistic, observational study.
Publication Title
Psychiatry research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-4-2022
Keywords
washington; swedish; seattle
Abstract
Previous studies of rTMS for bipolar depressed (BD) patients have yielded mixed results. In this retrospective, naturalistic, observational study, we reviewed charts of 317 patients undergoing rTMS treatment between 1/2015-2/2018, yielding 283 unipolar depressed (UD) and 34 BD patients. All were treated with a figure-of-8 coil, with either high-frequency (HF) left-sided, sequential bilateral (HF left-sided and low-frequency right-sided), or mixed protocols (switched from unilateral to bilateral mid-course). Outcomes were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Total number of treatments and initial PHQ-9 scores did not differ between groups. BD patients had greater PHQ-9 change by treatment conclusion than UD patients. GAD-7 changes showed no between-group differences overall. PHQ-9 changes differences between groups were only seen with unilateral treatment, not with bilateral or mixed protocols. Unilateral treatment resulted in 45% remission (9/20) for BD patients vs. 15% (24/160) for UD patients by treatment end. Response was seen in 80% (16/20) of the unilaterally-treated BD patients vs. 39% (62/160) in UD patients. Regression analyses within BD patients found that unilateral treatment, use of non-lithium mood stabilizers, male sex, and number of treatments predicted PHQ-9 improvement.
Area of Special Interest
Mental Health
Area of Special Interest
Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)
Specialty/Research Institute
Behavioral Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Neurosciences
