Accelerated magnetic stimulation met the depression trial's non-inferiority threshold
Remission occurred sooner with accelerated treatment, which also had more adverse events. Depression-score results met the trial's non-inferiority criterion.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Accelerated TMS met the study's criterion for being no worse than standard treatment by more than an allowed margin. This does not prove that the protocols produce identical outcomes. Earlier remission favored the accelerated protocol, while more frequent adverse events highlight a separate question about tolerability.
This abstract-based summary covers 6 weeks. Only 89 participants completed the study, and the abstract does not describe how missing data were handled or establish longer-term outcomes.
What researchers found
Difference in depression-score change
Mean improvement at week 6 was 0.76 points smaller with accelerated than standard TMS on the HDRS-21 depression symptom scale; lower scores mean fewer symptoms. One-sided 97.5% confidence upper bound: 2.73 points, below the 3.0-point inferiority margin.
What the protocols compared
The protocols differed in stimulation pattern, intensity and session totals, as well as timing. Accelerated treatment included multiple daily sessions followed by further weekly visits, with both protocols continuing through the study period.
Remission and tolerability
Depression and anxiety scores improved in both groups. The accelerated group reached remission sooner but reported more adverse events, including headaches and discomfort where treatment was applied. The abstract does not quantify that increase in adverse events.
The original publication
Accelerated TMS with the H1-coil for depression: A multisite, randomized non-inferiority trial.
Hanlon CA, Roth Y, Bermudes RA et al.
Brain Stimul · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41781301
- Record checked
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