Effectiveness of low-frequency, non-navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - Takeaways - MDSpire

Efficacy of Non-Navigated Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  • By

  • Xiaojiang Liu

  • Jiayi Li

  • Jun Li

  • July 17, 2026

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  • 1

    Low-frequency, non-neuronavigated rTMS shows no statistically significant benefit over sham stimulation for OCD symptom reduction.

  • 2

    The meta-analysis included 14 RCTs with a total of 460 participants, comparing active rTMS to sham.

  • 3

    The primary pooled analysis yielded a mean difference in Y-BOCS scores of -0.69, indicating no significant effect.

  • 4

    Subgroup analyses by stimulation target, treatment duration, and frequency were all non-significant.

  • 5

    The findings specifically pertain to low-frequency, non-neuronavigated protocols and do not address other rTMS methods.

Original Source(s)

Effectiveness of low-frequency, non-navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

  • by Xiaojiang Liu, Jiayi Li, Jun Li

  • July 17, 2026

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