Efficacy of rTMS combined with tDCS in patients with major depressive disorder with anxiety: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) with comorbid anxiety presents a greater treatment challenge and higher relapse risk. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown efficacy individually, but their combined effect remains unclear.

Objective

To assess the efficacy and acceptability of rTMS, tDCS and their combined therapy in alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD.

Methods

In this double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial, 240 patients with MDD with anxiety symptoms were assigned to four groups: active rTMS+active tDCS, active rTMS+sham tDCS, sham rTMS+active tDCS and sham rTMS+sham tDCS. Participants received 10

SUBMITTER: Li D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12742151 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature