A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth

ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and is publicly funded in Australia. However, there is limited data as to its efficacy and safety in treating MDD in adolescent and youth populations.M...

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Main Authors: Aleksandra Miljevic, Kyle Hoath, Kerry S. Leggett, Lauren A. Hennessy, Caitlan A. Boax, Jaroslaw Hryniewicki, Jennifer Rodger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1513339/full
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author Aleksandra Miljevic
Kyle Hoath
Kerry S. Leggett
Kerry S. Leggett
Lauren A. Hennessy
Caitlan A. Boax
Jaroslaw Hryniewicki
Jennifer Rodger
Jennifer Rodger
author_facet Aleksandra Miljevic
Kyle Hoath
Kerry S. Leggett
Kerry S. Leggett
Lauren A. Hennessy
Caitlan A. Boax
Jaroslaw Hryniewicki
Jennifer Rodger
Jennifer Rodger
author_sort Aleksandra Miljevic
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and is publicly funded in Australia. However, there is limited data as to its efficacy and safety in treating MDD in adolescent and youth populations.MethodsThis retrospective report examined routinely collected data of 46 outpatients aged 17 to 25 years old, who received rTMS treatment for MDD in a private TMS clinic. Primary outcomes measures were the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the depression subscale of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary measures included the anxiety and stress sub-scales of the DASS-21, a measure of Quality of Life (QoL) Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ).ResultsA 4–7-week course of rTMS significantly reduce symptoms of self-reported depression (42.5% response) and clinician-assessed depression (40.7% response). Both anxiety and stress significantly reduced across the course of rTMS treatment and significant improvements to QoL and self-reported cognition were observed. Reported side effects following rTMS in youth included a mild headache and fatigue.ConclusionsThe findings of this naturalistic report suggest that an acute course of rTMS is safe and effective – resulting in similar response rates in adolescent and youth patients as reported in adults. Future large-scale, randomized, and sham-controlled trials are needed to consolidate and add to these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-5e27db3d639549089302aef21358c0122025-08-20T02:02:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-03-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15133391513339A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youthAleksandra Miljevic0Kyle Hoath1Kerry S. Leggett2Kerry S. Leggett3Lauren A. Hennessy4Caitlan A. Boax5Jaroslaw Hryniewicki6Jennifer Rodger7Jennifer Rodger8Brain Plasticity, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, AustraliaModalis TMS, Stirling, WA, AustraliaBrain Plasticity, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, AustraliaSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, AustraliaModalis TMS, Stirling, WA, AustraliaModalis TMS, Stirling, WA, AustraliaModalis TMS, Stirling, WA, AustraliaBrain Plasticity, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, AustraliaSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, AustraliaObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and is publicly funded in Australia. However, there is limited data as to its efficacy and safety in treating MDD in adolescent and youth populations.MethodsThis retrospective report examined routinely collected data of 46 outpatients aged 17 to 25 years old, who received rTMS treatment for MDD in a private TMS clinic. Primary outcomes measures were the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the depression subscale of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary measures included the anxiety and stress sub-scales of the DASS-21, a measure of Quality of Life (QoL) Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ).ResultsA 4–7-week course of rTMS significantly reduce symptoms of self-reported depression (42.5% response) and clinician-assessed depression (40.7% response). Both anxiety and stress significantly reduced across the course of rTMS treatment and significant improvements to QoL and self-reported cognition were observed. Reported side effects following rTMS in youth included a mild headache and fatigue.ConclusionsThe findings of this naturalistic report suggest that an acute course of rTMS is safe and effective – resulting in similar response rates in adolescent and youth patients as reported in adults. Future large-scale, randomized, and sham-controlled trials are needed to consolidate and add to these findings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1513339/fullTMSrTMSadolescentyouthdepressionanxiety
spellingShingle Aleksandra Miljevic
Kyle Hoath
Kerry S. Leggett
Kerry S. Leggett
Lauren A. Hennessy
Caitlan A. Boax
Jaroslaw Hryniewicki
Jennifer Rodger
Jennifer Rodger
A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
Frontiers in Psychiatry
TMS
rTMS
adolescent
youth
depression
anxiety
title A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
title_full A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
title_fullStr A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
title_full_unstemmed A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
title_short A naturalistic analysis of rTMS treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in West Australian youth
title_sort naturalistic analysis of rtms treatment outcomes for major depressive disorder in west australian youth
topic TMS
rTMS
adolescent
youth
depression
anxiety
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1513339/full
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