Key result
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reduced PHQ-9 scores by 55% and GAD-7 scores by 22.2% in a 69-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder comorbid with atrial fibrillation over 8 weeks.
Why the study?
Atrial fibrillation symptoms can increase the risk of MDD and GAD, prompting examination of rTMS to treat recurrent MDD and GAD in this comorbid setting.
Does rTMS improve symptoms of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in a patient with comorbid atrial fibrillation?
Case Report (n=1)
No
Does rTMS improve symptoms of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in a patient with comorbid atrial fibrillation?
Effect estimate: 55% reduction
Absolute Event Rate: 9% vs 20%
rTMS may be a safe and effective treatment for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in patients with comorbid atrial fibrillation, potentially reducing the burden of polypharmacy.
rTMS may limit polypharmacy in AF patients with depression and anxiety; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
This paper examines the utilization of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat recurrent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in a patient comorbid with atrial fibrillation (AF), a type of common heart arrhythmia. Symptoms of AF can increase the risk of MDD and GAD, negatively impacting quality of life. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an FDA-approved modality for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and has shown promise for off-label treatment of anxiety disorders. Quantitative psychometric questionnaires were administered weekly, using the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), which revealed symptom reductions of 55% and 22.2%, respectively.
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Reddy et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder comorbid with atrial fibrillation (n=1). repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was evaluated on reduction in depressive symptoms measured by PHQ-9 scores (55% reduction). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reduced PHQ-9 scores by 55% and GAD-7 scores by 22.2% in a 69-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder comorbid with atrial fibrillation over 8 weeks.
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