Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
08:20
MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: August 11, 2015
13.9K
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With and Without Text4Support for the Treatment of Resistant Depression:
Medard Kofi Adu1, Raquel da Luz Dias1, Belinda Agyapong2
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
JMIR Research Protocols
|December 7, 2023
Summary
This study investigates if adding Text4Support to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves treatment-resistant depression (TRD) outcomes. Researchers hypothesize that the combination therapy will yield superior results compared to rTMS alone.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Digital Health
Background:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) lacks remission with standard antidepressant trials.
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and digital therapeutics like Text4Support are emerging strategies.
- The combined efficacy of rTMS and Text4Support for TRD is currently unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical effectiveness of rTMS with and without Text4Support for TRD management.
- To assess an innovative, patient-centered intervention for TRD.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, 2-arm, rater-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial.
- 200 participants with TRD randomized to rTMS alone or rTMS plus Text4Support.
- Primary outcome: change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores over 6 months.
Main Results:
- Study results are anticipated 18 months post-recruitment.
- Hypothesis: rTMS plus Text4Support will show superior outcomes versus rTMS alone.
- Secondary outcomes include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and suicide severity scales.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to investigate the combination of rTMS and Text4Support.
- The trial aims to provide foundational data on the practical application and efficacy of this novel combined treatment approach.
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