title: Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on clinical, social, and cognitive performance in postpartum depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study evaluated the impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on clinical, cognitive, and social performance in women suffering with postpartum depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients were randomized to receive 20 sessions of sham rTMS or active 5 Hz rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Psychiatric clinical scales and a neuropsychological battery were applied at baseline (pretreatment), week 4 (end of treatment), and week 6 (follow-up, posttreatment week 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The active rTMS group showed significant improvement 2 weeks after the end of rTMS treatment (week 6) in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (P = 0.020), Global Assessment Scale (P = 0.037), Clinical Global Impression (P = 0.047), and Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report-Work at Home (P = 0.020).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that rTMS has the potential to improve the clinical condition in postpartum depression, while producing marginal gains in social and cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Medical School São Paulo.
authors.forename: Martin Luiz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Myczkowski
authors.forename: Alvaro Machado
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luvisotto
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arnaut
authors.forename: Bianca Boura
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: Carlos Gustavo
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rennó
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tortella
authors.forename: Philip Leite
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Marco Antônio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marcolin
keywords: clinical performance; cognitive performance; postpartum depression; social performance; transcranial magnetic stimulation