Effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating people with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant major depression: A systematic review

Depression disorder is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses with a prevalence of 16% in adults. Approximately 20% of these patients do not respond adequately or in general to treatment with antidepressants, mood stabilizers and psychotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with major depressive disorder and those who are resistant to treatment. This study was conducted as a review by searching in English databases including Scopus, Ncbi Pubmed, Google scholars, Science Direct, Springer and Elsevier for years 2012-2017 with the following key words: Brain Stimulation, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, Treatment resistant major depression (TRMD) and Major depressive disorder. All of the studies reviewed indicate a recovery in depressive symptoms after rTMS intervention or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Also, the efficacy of this method in addition to reducing the symptoms of treatment- resistant depression, has also been proven in preventing recurrence and returning symptoms. Considering the high levels of resistance to drugs, psychotherapy, ectopic therapy and other methods in depressed patients, and on the other hand, multiple side effects of most interventions, It seems that the use of rTMS as a non-invasive and safe therapeutic method that has been approved for its effectiveness and clinical benefit can be beneficial.