Biological psychiatry
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Biological psychiatry · Jan 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTranscranial magnetic stimulation accelerates the antidepressant effect of amitriptyline in severe depression: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive method to stimulate the cortex, and the treatment of depression is one of its potential therapeutic applications. Three recent meta analyses strongly suggest its benefits in the treatment of depression. The present study investigates whether repetitive TMS (rTMS) accelerates the onset of action and increases the therapeutic effects of amitriptyline. ⋯ Repetitive TMS at 5 Hz accelerated the onset of action and augmented the response to amitriptyline.