Table 2

Relevance of rTMS in special populations with treatment-resistant depression

Characteristics of special populationMajor findingsEvidence
1. Elderly population
  • Paucity of data regarding efficacy of rTMS in elderly due to non-inclusion of elderly population in the study

  • Higher dose may be beneficial (more number of pulses and higher intensity).

  • Bilateral sequential rTMS has superior efficacy than conventional rTMS.

Inconclusive
2. Poststroke depression
  • May be beneficial

Inconclusive
3. Parkinson’s disease with comorbid depression
  • Some improvement in motor symptoms after deep TMS

Inconclusive
4. Depression in pregnancy
  • Safety concerns

  • Paucity of data

  • Remission rate up to 30%

Some beneficial role
5. Postpartum depression
  • Paucity of data

Some beneficial role
6. Children and adolescents
  • Paucity of data

Inconclusive
  • TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation; rTMS, repetitive TMS.