Enhancing effect of cognitive control training on rTMS treatment in depression: A study protocol for a multicenter...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective for major depressive disorder (MDD), but patient response varies.
• Adjunctive therapies like psychotherapy are explored to enhance rTMS efficacy.
• Cognitive control training (CCT) targets similar neural circuits as rTMS and shows antidepressant potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if rTMS augmented with CCT is more (cost-)effective than rTMS alone in reducing depressive symptoms.
• To assess the synergistic effects of combining rTMS with CCT.
• To explore a pragmatic, time-efficient, and potentially cost-effective solution for improving rTMS therapeutic response.

Main Methods:

• An international multicenter clinical trial randomizing 132 adult patients with depression.
• Treatment groups: rTMS augmented with CCT versus rTMS with a placebo task.
• Primary outcome: change in depressive severity (HDRS-17) after 8 weeks; secondary outcomes include economic evaluation and response/remission rates.

Main Results:

• The study is currently ongoing, and results are pending.
• The primary outcome measure is the change in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) after an 8-week treatment period.
• Secondary outcome measures include response and remission rates, as well as an economic evaluation.

Conclusions:

• This trial aims to enhance the (cost-)effectiveness of rTMS for depression by combining it with CCT.
• Findings may inform the development of more personalized and cost-effective depression interventions.
• The study seeks to optimize treatment strategies for patients with major depressive disorder.