Investigation of physical activity, sleep, and mental health recovery in treatment resistant depression (TRD) patients receiving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment
Griffiths, Chris Leathlean, Chloe Jiang, Harmony
Griffiths, Chris
Leathlean, Chloe
Jiang, Harmony
Abstract
Background
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective in treating depression; however, the effect on physical activity, sleep and recovery is unclear. This study investigated rTMS effect on physical activity and sleep through providing patients with a Fitbit and software apps; and reports the impact of rTMS on depression, anxiety and mental health recovery.
Methods
Study design was a pre and post data collection without a control, with twenty-four participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Measures used were Fitbit activity and sleep data, and patient-rated Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL-20), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7).
Results
Response and remission rates were, respectively: 34.8% and 39% for PHQ-9; 34.8% and 47.8% for GAD-7. ReQoL-20 response and reliable improvement were 29.4% and 53%. PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ReQol-20 scores significantly improved, with large effect sizes. Analysis of Fitbit activity and sleep data yielded non-significant results. The Fitbit data machine learning model classified two levels of depression to 82% accuracy.
Limitations
rTMS treatment was open-label and adjunct to existing antidepressant medication. No control group. Female patients were overrepresented.
Conclusions
Improvements on the ReQoL-20 and aspects of sleep and activity indicate the positive impact of rTMS on the individual's real world functioning and quality of life. A wearable activity tracker can provide feedback to patients and clinicians on sleep, physical activity and depression levels. Further research could be undertaken through a sufficiently powered RCT comparing rTMS versus rTMS with use of a Fitbit, its software applications, and sleep and physical activity advice.
MIDER Authors
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Date
2022
Type
Article
Subject
Physical Exertion, Exercise, Sleep, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Monitoring, Ambulatory, Depressive Disorder, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Citation
Griffiths, Chris; Maravic da Silva, Ksenija; Leathlean, Chloe; Jiang, Harmony; Siang Ang, Chee and Searle, Ryan (2022) Investigation of physical activity, sleep, and mental health recovery in treatment resistant depression (TRD) patients receiving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports v8 article 100337. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100337