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Immediate cognitive effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in eating disorders: A pilot study

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, on selective attention in people with a bulimic disorder. METHOD: Participants (N=33) were randomised to a single session of real or sham rTMS. They performed a Stroop colour word task before and after the rTMS intervention. Interference scores were calculated as the time difference between completing cards with congruent and incongruent stimuli. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance comparing the interference scores post-rTMS with the pre-rTMS scores as covariates showed no differences between the real and sham groups [F(1,32)=1.110; p=0.301]. DISCUSSION: While methodological issues warrant a cautious interpretation, these pilot data suggest that selective attention is unaffected by a single session of rTMS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, King’s College London, PO59, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    F. Van den Eynde MD, A. M. Claudino, I. C. Campbell & U. Schmidt

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

    A. M. Claudino

Authors
  1. F. Van den Eynde MD
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  2. A. M. Claudino
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  3. I. C. Campbell
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  4. U. Schmidt
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Correspondence to F. Van den Eynde MD.

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Van den Eynde, F., Claudino, A.M., Campbell, I.C. et al. Immediate cognitive effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in eating disorders: A pilot study. Eat Weight Disord 16, 45–48 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327520

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327520

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