Consensus Statement

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Consensus on the therapeutic use in psychiatric disorders

G. Hajak¹, f. Padberg², U. Herwig³, G.W. Eschweiler⁴, S. Cohrs⁵, B. Langguth¹, C. Schönfeldt-Lecuona⁶, A.J. Fallgatter⁷, J. Höppner⁸, C. Plewina⁴, P.Eichhammer¹
Clinic and Policlinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of ¹Regensburg(Director: Prof. H.E. Klein), ²München (Director: Prof. H.-J. Möller), ³ Zürich (Director: Prof. R.M. Nitsch), ⁴Tübingen (Director: Prof. G. Buchkremer), ⁵Göttingen (Director: Prof. E. Rüther), ⁶Ulm (Director: Prof. M. Spitzer), ⁷Würzburg (Director: Prof. H. Beckmann), ⁸Rostock (Director: Prof. S. Herpertz)

Keywords:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS, depression, consensus

Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a technology that allows non-invasive modulation of neurobiological, physiological and psychological functions. A conference of national rTMS experts in Germany has assessed benefit / risk aspects of rTMS as a therapeutic tool in psychiatry following a formal consensus process. rTMS has been rated as promising and innovative treatment technique, worth further exploration in controlled clinical settings. Depressive disorders appear to be the primary target for rTMS treatment within the variety of psychiatric disorders investigated to date. A moderate therapeutic efficacy together with few and modest side effects results in an overall positive benefit / risk ratio in the investigated pre-treated or treatment-resistant depressed patients. The clinical application of rTMS should be restricted to physicians experienced with rTMS or specially trained who follow safety guidelines and monitor patients closely. In spite of the growing body of evidence, rTMS is still an experimental technique and its efficacy and safety have been less substantially proven compared to pharmacological agents approved for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Nervenheilkunde 1/2005; 24: 48-58, Schattauer GmbH

Download of the consensus document