Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in substance use disorders is safe and tolerable: A Systematic review of 141 clinical trials including 4299 participants.
Afra Souki, Shermin Sharifzadeh, Kathleen Brady et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the safety and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in 4299 participants across 141 clinical trials for substance use disorders (SUD). The findings indicate that rTMS is generally safe, with most adverse events being mild and temporary, and no seizures reported from active rTMS treatments.
Key findings
- Twenty-two studies reported no adverse events (AEs), while sixty-nine reported only mild AEs.
- Only six studies documented moderate AEs, and nine studies reported serious AEs.
- No seizures attributable to active rTMS were reported in the SUD samples.
Why it matters
Understanding the safety profile of rTMS is crucial for clinicians considering this intervention for patients with substance use disorders, as it may offer a noninvasive treatment option with manageable side effects.
What to keep in mind
Thirty-five studies did not report safety outcomes or adverse events, which limits the comprehensiveness of the safety assessment.