Objective: Cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom of depression and contributes significantly to functional and psychosocial impairment. However, pharmacotherapy has shown limited efficacy in alleviating these cognitive deficits. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving cognitive impairments in patients with depression.
Methods: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library databases up to June 19, 2024. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) participants were exclusively patients with unipolar depression, (2) both active rTMS and sham stimulation were administered in parallel groups, (3) sufficient data were available, and (4) the study design was a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed no significant improvement in cognitive impairment with active rTMS compared to sham rTMS across multiple cognitive domains, including global cognitive function, attention, working memory, psychomotor speed, language, visuospatial ability, learning and memory, and executive function.
Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that rTMS does not demonstrate substantial efficacy in alleviating cognitive dysfunction in patients with depression. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of rTMS efficacy and optimizing stimulation protocols, including the precise targeting of stimulation sites, as well as refining frequency, intensity, and duration parameters to better address cognitive impairment.
Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Depression; Neurocognition; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.