Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of adult treatment-resistant depression

Aim

The aim of the assessment was to:

1. assess the efficacy and safety of conventional rTMS as adjuvant therapy to the standard therapeutic strategy for treatment-resistant depression during two different treatment phases: acute phase (course of treatment) and consolidation phase (maintenance sessions);
2. compare the new therapeutic strategy including rTMS (alongside medication and psychotherapy) to the two current conventional strategies for treatment-resistant depression: pharmacological optimisation plus psychotherapy in most cases, or use of electroconvulsive therapy in specific cases;
3. compare the organisational impact of the new therapeutic strategy with rTMS to the current conventional strategies.