Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for peripartum depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Psychiatry Res. 2020 Dec:294:113543. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113543. Epub 2020 Oct 27.

Abstract

This study aims to summarize and systematically review the efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for women with peripartum depression (PPD). Several databases (Wanfang, CNKI, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsyINFO, Web of Science, and Clinical trial) were searched from inception until April 12, 2020. In total, ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. We calculated the combined effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD] and odds ratio [OR]) for the corresponding effects models. The aggregated result of 10 trials indicated a significant benefit of rTMS on PPD, and the aggregated result of remission showed significantly positive effects of Test group VS. Control group. In terms of treatment adverse effects, the aggregated result showed no statistical significance of headache and dry mouth between the two groups. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that rTMS is an effective and safe intervention for PPD. Owing to poor methodological quality among the included studies, high-quality multicenter RCTs are needed to further verify the effects of this treatment.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Peripartum depression; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Safety;Randomized controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peripartum Period* / psychology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome