OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at low-frequency in patients with major depression and schizophrenia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the therapeutic effect of a course of 10 rTMS sessions in 14 subjects with major depression (MD) and 10 with schizophrenia. PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS: Seven of the depressed patients reported significant improvement in depressive symptomatology, and seven of the schizophrenic subjects reported amelioration of anxiety and restlessness. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that low-frequency rTMS may be beneficial mainly in MD and to some extent in schizophrenia, and support the need for controlled studies to further validate its therapeutic potential.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at low-frequency in patients with major depression and schizophrenia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the therapeutic effect of a course of 10 rTMS sessions in 14 subjects with major depression (MD) and 10 with schizophrenia. PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS: Seven of the depressedpatients reported significant improvement in depressive symptomatology, and seven of the schizophrenic subjects reported amelioration of anxiety and restlessness. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that low-frequency rTMS may be beneficial mainly in MD and to some extent in schizophrenia, and support the need for controlled studies to further validate its therapeutic potential.