Long-term Bilateral Theta Burst Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depression

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown to be moderately effective in the treatment of major depression. Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is a new form of rTMS that may exert larger effects.

This sham-controlled study examines the effectivity of daily bilateral TBS to the dorsolateral frontal cortex over 6 weeks in 2x16 patients with major depression add on to the local standard of a combined pharmacological/psychotherapeutical treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• major Depression
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• seizures in medical history
• metallic implants
• deep brain stimulation
• cardiac pacemaker
• brain trauma
• psychotic symptoms
• substance abuse
• pregnancy
• Benzodiazepines other than Lorazepam >1mg/d