Efficacy of low-frequency rTMS to the right frontal cortex for depression:a meta-analysis / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To systematically assess the efficacy of the low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the right frontal cortex for depression. Methods Clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) studies about low-frequency rTMS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for depression were collected from database such as PubMed, SCI, CBM, CNKI, and VIP. The meta-analysis using the software of RevMan 5.2 was conducted to com?pare the response rate of low-frequency rTMS to the right DLPFC with sham stimulation and high-frequency rTMS to the left DLPFC, respectively. Results Nine RCT studies with 156 patients in low-frequency rTMS group and 162 patients in sham stimulation group were included. Meta-analysis showed that low-frequency rTMS to the right DLPFC significantly improved response rate compared with sham stimulation(RR=2.15,95%CI:1.57~2.95,P<0.01). Eleven RCT studies with 178 patients in low-frequency rTMS group and 200 patients in high-frequency group were included. There was no significant difference in response rate between the two groups(RR=0.80,95%CI:0.63~1.02,P=0.07). Conclusion The efficacy of low-frequency rTMS to the right frontal cortex for depression is significant but the efficacy is not superior in comparison with the high-frequency rTMS to left DLPFC.