A double-blind pilot dosing study of low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

TitleA double-blind pilot dosing study of low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsDubin MJ, Ilieva IP, De Deng Z-, Thomas J, Cochran A, Kravets K, Brody BD, Christos PJ, Kocsis JH, Liston C, Gunning FM
JournalJ Affect Disord
Volume249
Pagination286-293
Date Published2019 Apr 15
ISSN1573-2517
KeywordsAdult, Affect, Aged, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Magnetic Field Therapy, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Selection, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low field magnetic stimulation is a potentially rapid-acting treatment for depression with mood-enhancing effects in as little as one 20-min session. The most convincing data for LFMS has come from treating bipolar depression. We examined whether LFMS also has rapid mood-enhancing effects in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, and whether these effects are dose-dependent.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that a single 20-min session of LFMS would reduce depressive symptom severity and that the magnitude of this change would be greater after three 20-min sessions than after a single 20-min session.

METHODS: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 30 participants (age 21-65) with treatment-resistant depression were randomized to three 20-min active or sham LFMS treatments with 48 h between treatments. Response was assessed immediately following LFMS treatment using the 6-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-6), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and the Visual Analog Scale.

RESULTS: Following the 3rd session of LFMS, the effect of LFMS on VAS and HAMD-6 was superior to sham (F (1, 24) = 7.45, p = 0.03, Bonferroni-Holm corrected; F (1, 22) = 6.92, p = 0.03, Bonferroni-Holm corrected, respectively). There were no differences between sham and LFMS following the initial or second session with the effect not becoming significant until after the third session.

CONCLUSIONS: Three 20-min LFMS sessions were required for active LFMS to have a mood-enhancing effect for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. As this effect may be transient, future work should address dosing schedules of longer treatment courses as well as biomarker-based targeting of LFMS to optimize patient selection and treatment outcomes.

DOI10.1016/j.jad.2019.02.039
Alternate JournalJ Affect Disord
PubMed ID30784726
PubMed Central IDPMC6486658
Grant ListK99 MH097822 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH097735 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR002384 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
Division: 
Biostatistics
Category: 
Faculty Publication