Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) on depressive symptoms and neurocognitive
functions during treatment and follow-up.
Methods: A total of 65 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder,
with a >16 scores in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D) and
a >18 scores in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), participated in the
study. The Ham-D, BDI, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Trail Making
Tests A and B, Stroop Colour and Word Test, Number Sequence Test,
Öktem Verbal Memory Processes Test, and Verbal Fluency Test were
administered at baseline, 1st-, and 3rd-month for both treatment and
control groups.
Results: A total of 65 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 25
in the TMS group and 26 in the non-TMS group completed the followup.
At the first month, 73.5% of patients in the TMS group showed a
full treatment response, compared to 29.03% in the non-TMS group
(p=0.001). At the third month, the treatment response rate decreased
to 40% in the TMS group, whereas it was 42.3% in the non-TMS
group, and the significant difference between the groups disappeared
(p=0.918). In terms of cognitive functions, no significant changes
were observed in either group at the first- and third-month follow-ups
compared to baseline.
Conclusion: TMS had a strong acute antidepressant effect; however,
this effect diminished over time during the follow-up period. Although
partial improvement was observed in cognitive functions, this
improvement did not reach statistical significance.
Keywords: Cognitive functions, major depressive disorder, transcranial
magnetic stimulation