Spectral EEG-guided adaptive neuromodulation for social anxiety disorder, performance-only subtype: a case report - Report - MDSpire

Spectral EEG-guided adaptive neuromodulation for social anxiety disorder, performance-only subtype: a case report

  • By

  • Mark Odron

  • Yatharth Mahajan

  • Vipul Reddy

  • Krrishika Saxena

  • Charles Vigilia

  • Brianna Dela Cruz

  • Jayleen Lu

  • Nisha Thunga

  • Kenneth Blum

  • David Baron

  • Keerthy Sunder

  • June 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for SAD

Overview

This case study evaluates the efficacy of personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (PrTMS) guided by spectral EEG in a patient with performance-only social anxiety disorder (SAD). Significant reductions in social anxiety symptoms and improvements in mood and daily function were observed, suggesting PrTMS as a potential adjunctive treatment for SAD.

Background

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is prevalent and often inadequately treated with standard therapies, which yield variable response rates. The performance-only subtype presents unique challenges, necessitating innovative treatment approaches. PrTMS, a novel neuromodulation technique, may enhance treatment outcomes by personalizing stimulation parameters based on EEG data and psychometric assessments.

Data Highlights

{'LSAS': 'Score reduced from 57 to [insert final score].', 'SPIN': 'Score reduced from [insert initial score] to [insert final score].', 'PHQ-9': 'Score reduced from [insert initial score] to [insert final score].', 'GAD-7': 'Score reduced from [insert initial score] to [insert final score].', 'Q-LES-Q-SF': 'Score improved from [insert initial score] to [insert final score].'}

Key Findings

  • PrTMS led to reductions in social anxiety intensity and avoidance behaviors.
  • Increased alpha band power and decreased delta band power were observed in EEG assessments.
  • Clinical improvements were accompanied by enhanced mood and daily functioning.
  • PrTMS may serve as a viable adjunctive treatment for performance-only SAD.
  • Further research is needed to validate the efficacy of PrTMS in larger populations.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that PrTMS could be considered for patients with performance-only SAD who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments. Clinicians may explore the integration of EEG-guided neuromodulation techniques to personalize treatment approaches and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

This case study indicates that PrTMS may be a promising adjunctive treatment for performance-only SAD, warranting further investigation in larger, controlled studies.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Conexiant, Comparing Brain Stimulation Strategies for Depression, 2023 -- Comparing Brain Stimulation Strategies for Depression
  2. BMC Psychiatry, Management of therapy-resistant OCD using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS): a case series analysis, 2023 -- Management of therapy-resistant OCD using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS): a case series analysis
  3. BMC Psychiatry, Impact of Enhanced Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Abilities in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder, 2023 -- Impact of Enhanced Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Abilities in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
  4. Frontiers in Psychiatry, Exploring the Efficacy of Low-Frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Sensory and Behavioral Improvements in Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Study, 2026 -- Exploring the Efficacy of Low-Frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Sensory and Behavioral Improvements in Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder
  5. Merck Manual, Social Anxiety Disorder - Psychiatry, 2023 -- Social Anxiety Disorder - Psychiatry
  6. ScienceDirect, Psychotherapies for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis, 2025 -- Psychotherapies for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
  7. Social Anxiety Disorder - Psychiatry - Merck Manual
  8. Psychotherapies for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review
  9. Right DLPFC stimulation attenuates negative evaluation in social anxiety: An rTMS study - ScienceDirect

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