UiT Trial Finds 10-Day iTBS Cuts Depression Symptoms More Than Sham in 73 Adults
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Jul 11
UiT Trial Finds 10-Day iTBS Cuts Depression Symptoms More Than Sham in 73 Adults
1 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Jul 11
Summary
A 73-patient randomized trial found once-daily iTBS reduced clinician-rated depression symptoms more than sham after 5 and 10 days in adults with major depressive disorder.
The fixed schedule used 10 sessions, with 41 patients receiving active magnetic stimulation and 32 a sham coil designed to mimic the sound and scalp sensation without stimulating the cortex.
Self-reported symptoms showed little difference between groups, and 4 weeks after treatment stopped the sham group had caught up while the iTBS group largely held steady.
The JAMA Network Open study suggests iTBS can deliver short-term gains, but also highlights strong placebo-related effects and the importance of treatment duration and follow-up in future depression trials.
With new 5-day therapies showing 80% remission, is this 10-day treatment already obsolete for severe depression?
If a placebo can match brain stimulation's effects, where does the real power to heal depression actually lie?
As we target brain circuits for sadness or anxiety, is 'precision psychiatry' the future of mental healthcare?
Rapid but Not Lasting: UiT 2026 RCT Shows iTBS Cuts Depression Scores by 10.5 Points, But Effects Fade by 3 Months
Overview
A major clinical trial led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway in 2026 explored the effectiveness of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) for adults with moderate to severe depression. In this double-blind study, 100 participants received either iTBS or sham treatment over three weeks. The results showed that iTBS led to a greater reduction in depression scores compared to sham, highlighting its rapid short-term benefits. However, these improvements were not sustained at later follow-ups, suggesting that while iTBS can quickly reduce symptoms, its long-term effects may require additional strategies or combined therapies.