An Alternative Modality for Alleviating Core PTSD Symptoms

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left prefrontal cortex is an effective treatment for major depression in early stages of treatment resistance, but the modality has been infrequently studied for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Questions remain about the best site and frequency for stimulation and about whether clinical improvements relate to effects on depression, anxiety, or PTSD itself. In a small, manufacturer-supported, randomized, controlled trial, researchers compared high-frequency rTMS (10 sessions in 2 weeks) to the left prefrontal cortex, high-frequency rTMS to the right prefrontal cortex, and sham stimulation in 30 patients with PTSD (mean time since trauma, 4 years). Mean PTSD Checklist scores we…