INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as a possible alternative to electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of selected @entity1 with @entity308 , @entity162 and @entity161 . The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of rTMS in @entity1316 and @entity161 . METHODS: Studies were identified using MEDLINE (1966 to January 2000), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1980 to January 2000), Biological Abstracts and Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings. A number of biomedical and TMS related websites were also searched. We estimated the number needed to treat to show beneficial effect of rTMS when compared with the placebo controlled group. RESULTS: Seven controlled trials of rTMS @entity308 were identified. Five of these were suitable for meta-analysis and show a beneficial effect of rTMS compared to placebo, with a number needed to treat of 2-3 with a 95 % confidence interval 1.6 to 4.0, total; 81 @entity1 . A single trial of rTMS has also been performed in @entity162 , which shows a beneficial effect of right hemisphere stimulation when compared with left hemisphere stimulation. A controlled trial in @entity161 failed to show any benefit of rTMS. DISCUSSION: rTMS has demonstrable beneficial effects in @entity308 . The extent and the duration of the anti-depressant effect of rTMS has yet to be defined. There now needs to be randomized controlled trials to compare rTMS directly with standardized electroconvulsive therapy in order to take this subject forward. With regard to the treatment of other @entity1316 and @entity161 , we are at an early stage in the assessment of further studies that are needed to examine any potential role for rTMS.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation for XXXX and other psychiatric disorders.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity162 :: ('MESH:D001714', 'Disease') :: ['bipolar affective disorder', 'mania'] @entity308 :: ('MESH:D003866', 'Disease') :: ['depression'] @entity1316 :: ('MESH:D019964', 'Disease') :: ['mood disorders'] @entity161 :: ('MESH:D012559', 'Disease') :: ['schizophrenia']
@entity308 :: (MESH:D003866,Disease) :: ['depression']
