Daniel M Blumberger 1, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez 2, Kevin E Thorpe 3, Kfir Feffer 4, Yoshihiro Noda 5, Peter Giacobbe 6, Yuliya Knyahnytska 7, Sidney H Kennedy 8, Raymond W Lam 9, Zafiris J Daskalakis 10, Jonathan Downar 11
Background: Treatment-resistant major depressive disorder is common; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) by use of high-frequency (10 Hz) left-side dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation is an evidence-based treatment for this disorder. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a newer form of rTMS that can be delivered in 3 min, versus 37·5 min for a standard 10 Hz treatment session. We aimed to establish the clinical effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of iTBS compared with standard 10 Hz rTMS in adults with treatment-resistant depression.