[Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in depression: results of bi-weekly treatment].
OBJECTIVE
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been shown to be a useful therapy for depression. This paper evaluates the results of bi-weekly low-frequency TMS of 4 weeks duration, in 10 patients with depression who do not respond or are intolerant to antidepressive medication.


METHODS
This is a case series study. DMS-IV criteria were used to diagnose depression. In order to disclose possible improvements in depressive symptoms, the 17 items Hamilton scale was used at three different moments: at the beginning, middle and end of the treatment period. Results were analysed using Friedman's chi2 test.


RESULTS
Hamilton's scale score improvement was > 50% in five patients and > 75% in 3 of these.


CONCLUSIONS
TMS may be efficacious, safe and easily performed as an adjunct to medical treatment of depression. We cannot differentiate a potentiation of the effect of antidepressive medication from an intrinsic effect of TMS alone, since we did not treat any subjects without the concurrent use of medication.
Boechat-Barros
Raphael
R
Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Brasil-Neto
Joaquim Pereira
JP
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome