To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) compared to high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) and sham stimulation in treating depression in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), specifically hypothesizing that iTBS would demonstrate comparable efficacy to HF-rTMS.
Key Findings:
iTBS showed comparable antidepressant efficacy to HF-rTMS in reducing HAMD-24 scores (p-value needed).
Both active interventions (iTBS and HF-rTMS) significantly improved depressive symptoms compared to sham stimulation (p-value needed).
fNIRS data indicated modulation of prefrontal network dynamics associated with clinical improvements.
Interpretation:
Intermittent theta-burst stimulation is a promising, time-efficient alternative to HF-rTMS for treating depression in patients with Parkinson's disease, potentially enhancing patient adherence to treatment and improving overall quality of life.
Limitations:
Small sample size may limit generalizability of findings and introduce potential biases.
Short follow-up period may not capture long-term effects of treatment.
Conclusion:
iTBS is an effective and pragmatic approach for managing depression in PD, warranting further investigation and validation in larger cohorts.
