Efficacy and prognosis of different interventional psychiatric treatments for patients with severe depression

This review examines the efficacy and prognosis of various interventional psychiatric treatments for patients with severe depression. Major depressive disorder (MDD), characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest, is a significant global health issue, particularly prevalent among younger populations and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the availability of multiple pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and specialized physical treatments for MDD, the overall prognosis remains poor. Consequently, physical treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have emerged as interventional psychiatric therapies for recurrent and treatment-resistant depression. Studies indicate that ECT is the preferred treatment for severe and refractory depression due to its rapid onset of action; rTMS is more suitable for long-term management of mild to moderate refractory depression because of its non-invasive nature; and tDCS, with its portability and safety, is often used as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. These interventional treatments have complementary value in treating treatment-resistant depression and are expected to improve efficacy and expand clinical applications in the future with the optimization of nutriregulation techniques and the advancement of interdisciplinary research.