Table 4 Breakout of studies based on number of medication trials prior to rTMS use

≥2 medication trials

Fregni F, et al. (2006) [24]

Higher response rate to rTMS therapy in patients who had a lower number of refractory treatment trials.

≤1 medication trial

Huang M-L, et al. (2012) [26];

rTMS plus med vs. sham plus med

Significantly higher number of improvers at 4 weeks with rTMS plus med.

Wang H-N, et al. (2017) [27];

rTMS plus med vs. med

Significantly higher number in response and remission at 12 months with rTMS plus med.

Wang Y-M, et al. (2017) [28];

rTMS plus med vs. sham plus med

Response and remission significantly higher in the rTMS + med

Yang H, et al. (2017) [29]

rTMS plus med vs. sham plus med

Response and remission significantly higher in the rTMS + med

≥2 medication trials vs. ≤1 medication trial

Brakemeier E-L, et al. (2007) [30];

Use of rTMS with Low (1 trial) vs. high (≥2 trials) medication treatment resistance

Likelihood of response was higher in low treatment resistant patients

O’Reardon JP, et al. (2009) [25];

Use of rTMS with Low (1 trial) vs. high (≥2 trials) medication treatment resistance

Likelihood of response was 4X higher and statistically significantly different in low treatment resistant patients

Brakemeier E-L, et al. (2008) [31];

Use of rTMS with Low (1 trial) vs. high (≥2 trials) medication treatment resistance

Use of rTMS in low treatment resistant patients had a statistically significant effect on improved outcomes

Cohen RB, et al. (2010) [32];

Use of rTMS with Low (1 trial) vs. high (≥2 trials) medication treatment resistance

Use of rTMS in low treatment resistant patients had a statistically significant effect on improved outcomes

Carpenter LL, et al. (2012); [33]

Use of rTMS with Low (≤1 trial) vs. high (≥2 trials) medication treatment resistance

Use of rTMS in low treatment resistant patients had a modest effect on improving outcomes.