Within a decade, the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) was being used to treat depression and schizophrenia. Antidepressant response has been reported in open and double-blind, sham-controlled studies of depression. Less is known about rTMS efficacy in the obsessive compulsive disorder.

The aim of the randomized, double-blind, sham controlled study was to compare the 2 and 4 week efficacy of the 10 sessions rTMS with sham rTMS in serotonin reuptake inhibitor resistant OCD patient. Thirty seven right-handed patients were randomly assigned to either active rTMS or to sham. Active rTMS with the frequency of 1 Hz at 110% of motor threshold was administered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The same time schedule was used for sham administration. Thirty three patients finished the study, three patients’ dropped out at the beginning. Psychopathology was assessed by CGI, HAMA, Y-BOCS and BAI before the treatment, immediately after the experimental treatment, and 2 weeks after by an independent reviewer.

Both groups improved during the study period but the treatment effect did not differ between them in any of the instruments.

Low frequency rTMS administered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex during 10 daily sessions did not differ from sham rTMS in facilitating the effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in OCD patients.

Supported by the project n. MŠMT ČR 1M0517