Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a promising treatment for various neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and Parkinson's disease. Recent research has focused on evaluating its effectiveness in treating patients w...

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Main Authors: Amir Reza Bahadori, Parisa Javadnia, Sanaz Bordbar, Rasa Zafari, Tina Taherkhani, Afshan Davari, Abbas Tafakhori, Sajad Shafiee, Sara Ranji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Eating and Weight Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-025-01716-5
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author Amir Reza Bahadori
Parisa Javadnia
Sanaz Bordbar
Rasa Zafari
Tina Taherkhani
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
author_facet Amir Reza Bahadori
Parisa Javadnia
Sanaz Bordbar
Rasa Zafari
Tina Taherkhani
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
author_sort Amir Reza Bahadori
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a promising treatment for various neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and Parkinson's disease. Recent research has focused on evaluating its effectiveness in treating patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of TMS on patients with AN and evaluated any potential adverse effects. Methods We conducted search according to PRISMA guidelines and comprehensively analyzed data from multiple databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, up to September 13th. Statistical analysis utilized the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software version 3.0. Results The systematic review encompassed 17 studies, with nine undergoing meta-analyses. The primary target for TMS was the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with two studies targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, one targeting the insula and one targeting the inferior parietal lobe. The findings revealed a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) following TMS (SMD: −0.025, 95% CI: −0.0505 to −0.005, P-value = 0.045). Additionally, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) score was quantitatively reported in six studies, which permitted its inclusion in the meta-analysis. The analysis exhibited a significant decrease in EDE-Q score after TMS (SMD: 0.634, 95% CI: 0.349–0.919, P-value < 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on TMS session duration indicated that the effect size of TMS on EDE-Q score is more pronounced when the session duration exceeds 20 min. Conclusion TMS represents an effective therapy for patients with AN, leading to improvements in both BMI and core symptoms of AN, with minor and transient side effects. Level of evidence Level I, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
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spelling doaj-art-3b8576a9394a4d188c69c175546f0d752025-01-19T12:04:58ZengSpringerEating and Weight Disorders1590-12622025-01-0130111510.1007/s40519-025-01716-5Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysisAmir Reza Bahadori0Parisa Javadnia1Sanaz Bordbar2Rasa Zafari3Tina Taherkhani4Afshan Davari5Abbas Tafakhori6Sajad Shafiee7Sara Ranji8Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical SciencesStudents’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon, Associate Professor of neurosurgery, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesIranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Purpose Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a promising treatment for various neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and Parkinson's disease. Recent research has focused on evaluating its effectiveness in treating patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of TMS on patients with AN and evaluated any potential adverse effects. Methods We conducted search according to PRISMA guidelines and comprehensively analyzed data from multiple databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, up to September 13th. Statistical analysis utilized the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software version 3.0. Results The systematic review encompassed 17 studies, with nine undergoing meta-analyses. The primary target for TMS was the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with two studies targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, one targeting the insula and one targeting the inferior parietal lobe. The findings revealed a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) following TMS (SMD: −0.025, 95% CI: −0.0505 to −0.005, P-value = 0.045). Additionally, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) score was quantitatively reported in six studies, which permitted its inclusion in the meta-analysis. The analysis exhibited a significant decrease in EDE-Q score after TMS (SMD: 0.634, 95% CI: 0.349–0.919, P-value < 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on TMS session duration indicated that the effect size of TMS on EDE-Q score is more pronounced when the session duration exceeds 20 min. Conclusion TMS represents an effective therapy for patients with AN, leading to improvements in both BMI and core symptoms of AN, with minor and transient side effects. Level of evidence Level I, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-025-01716-5Anorexia nervosaTranscranial magnetic stimulationBody mass indexWeight lossEating disorders
spellingShingle Amir Reza Bahadori
Parisa Javadnia
Sanaz Bordbar
Rasa Zafari
Tina Taherkhani
Afshan Davari
Abbas Tafakhori
Sajad Shafiee
Sara Ranji
Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Eating and Weight Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Body mass index
Weight loss
Eating disorders
title Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Anorexia nervosa
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Body mass index
Weight loss
Eating disorders
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-025-01716-5
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