CAN TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION TREATMENT OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER RELIEVE COMORBID DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS?

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), intellectual disorders, learning disorders, motor disorders, and Tourette and tic related disorders across various age groups.Following a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022384498) and adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of five databases (Embase, Central, PsycInfo, PubMed/Medline, and Scopus) was conducted.Out of 23 identified studies, 15 were included in the meta-analysis.Qualitative risk of bias assessment revealed ten studies with low risk, one with high risk, and some concerns for the remaining twelve.In the quantitative analysis, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) demonstrated a statistically significant overall cognitive improvement in ADHD compared to sham (Hedge's g = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.16 to 1.26, p = 0.01), while transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) showed a statistically significant overall cognitive improvement in ASD compared to sham (Hedge's g = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.40, p = 0.02).No publication bias was observed in either analysis.Despite promising results, the limited number of studies and concerns about bias underscore the need for further research on NIBS for NDDs.This review emphasizes the significance of standardized methodology and comparable outcome measures in future trials and stresses the value of replicating evidence for potentially effective treatment protocols.