Study Comparing Two Types of Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying treatment-resistant depression TRD, a form of major depressive disorder that does not improve after trying at least two different antidepressant treatments. This research compares two types of theta burst stimulation TBS, a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation rTMS, to see how well they reduce depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, sleep problems, and improve cognitive function and overall daily functioning. The trial involves an intensive two-week treatment period followed by a 12-week follow-up. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive 50 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation iTBS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the other group will receive 50 sessions of continuous theta burst stimulation cTBS applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Treatments consist of five sessions per day, five days a week for two weeks, with rest breaks between sessions. Both methods use a figure-of-eight coil and specific stimulation frequencies and intensities. Throughout the study, patients will continue their current antidepressant medications without changes. Clinical assessments will be done before, during, and after treatment at multiple time points up to 14 weeks to measure depression severity, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, sleep quality, cognitive abilities, and daily functioning. These evaluations use well-known scales like the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and others. The study monitors safety and treatment effects during the follow-up period.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation and Accelerated Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression