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. 2019 Jan 8;19(1):13.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1989-z.

A systematic literature review of the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in non-treatment resistant patients with major depressive disorder

Jeffrey Voigt  1 , Linda Carpenter  2 , Andrew Leuchter  3
Affiliations

A systematic literature review of the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in non-treatment resistant patients with major depressive disorder

Jeffrey Voigt et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: The clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treatment resistant patients (at least 4 medication trials) appears to be well accepted and forms the coverage policies and rTMS's use in many of the largest US payers. However, less is known about rTMS's use in patients who have undergone ≤1 failed medication trial. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the clinical efficacy of rTMS in patients after ≤1 medication trials.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify all articles which addressed the use of rTMS in ≤1 medication trial. All types of study designs were included and assessed for quality and strength of evidence using: GRADE and CEBM. Searches of peer reviewed articles were undertaken for the year 2000 to the present. All languages were considered. Electronic databases were searched and included: PubMed and EBSCO. Evidence assessment websites were also searched and included: Cochrane, NICE, AHRQ, and ICER. Additionally, the clinical guidelines for specialty societies which use rTMS was searched. Hand searches of the reference sections of identified articles was also undertaken.

Results: Electronic and other sources identified 165 after duplicates were removed. Twenty two articles were assessed for eligibility and ultimately 10 articles were included in the systematic review and graded. Six articles were graded high quality (CEBM/GRADE: 1c/B) demonstrating that the use of rTMS was clinically efficacious in patients after ≤1 medication trial. Four additional trials demonstrated a positive effect of rTMS in patients after ≤1 medication trial but were of a lower quality.

Conclusion: The use of rTMS in patients after ≤1 medication trial should be considered. US payers should consider revising their coverage policies to include the use of rTMS in these patients.

Keywords: Clinical efficacy; Medication resistance; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

Jeffrey Voigt is a reimbursement consultant for an rTMS company. Linda Carpenter, MD is a clinical advisor for rTMS companies. Andrew Leuchter, MD is a clinical advisor for rTMS companies. Linda Carpenter, MD, has received consulting income from Magstim, Inc. (<$5000/year). Additionally, Dr. Carpenter has received clinical trial research support from Neuronetics, NeoSync, and Jannssen; and equipment support from NeoSync and Neuronetics.

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References

    1. Magstim rTMS. 510K K143531 dated May 8, 2015. Accessed 20 Feb 2018.
    1. Brainsway Deep TMS therapy. 510K K122288 dated January 7, 2013. Accessed 20 Feb 2018.
    1. Tonica Electronik MagVita TMS therapy. 510K K171481 dated June 16, 2017. Accessed 20 Feb 2018.
    1. Neuornetics Neurostar TMS therapy. 510K161519 dated June 2, 2016. Accessed 20 Feb 2018.
    1. Teleemg LLC Neurosoft TMS therapy 510K K161519 dated December 22, 2016. Accessed 20 Feb 2018.

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