Transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation in reducing depressive symptoms during the peripartum period

Purpose of review:

To present the latest data on the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in peripartum depression (PPD), complemented by notes emerging from our clinical and research experience.

Recent findings:

TMS and tDCS show promising results to manage mild to moderate depressive symptoms in the peripartum period. Evidence of TMS efficacy during pregnancy and the postpartum comes from two small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with encouraging but still inconsistent results. Evidence of tDCS efficacy during pregnancy comes from one small RCT and in the postpartum the first RCT is just now being conducted and results are highly expected. The safety profile (with transient mild adverse effect to women and no known risk to the foetus/newborn) and acceptability by women seems overall good. However, the perspectives from health professionals and managers are unclear.

Summary:

Whereas TMS accelerated protocols (e.g., more than one session/day) and shorter sessions (e.g., theta burst stimulation) could address the need for fast results in PPD, home-based tDCS systems could address accessibility issues. Currently, the evidence on the efficacy of TMS and tDCS in PPD is limited warranting further research to support stronger evidence-based clinical guidelines.