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Shuangyu QI1*, Qianfeng CHEN1*, Yuanyuan ZENG8, Saboor SAEED1,2, Xiaonan GUO1, Hetong ZHOU1, Shaohua HU1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with medications for bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B, 1998, -1(-1): .
@article{title="Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with medications for bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials",
author="Shuangyu QI1*, Qianfeng CHEN1*, Yuanyuan ZENG8, Saboor SAEED1,2, Xiaonan GUO1, Hetong ZHOU1, Shaohua HU1,2,3,4,5,6,7",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science B",
volume="-1",
number="-1",
pages="",
year="1998",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.B2500421"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with medications for bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
%A Shuangyu QI1*
%A Qianfeng CHEN1*
%A Yuanyuan ZENG8
%A Saboor SAEED1
%A 2
%A Xiaonan GUO1
%A Hetong ZHOU1
%A Shaohua HU1
%A 2
%A 3
%A 4
%A 5
%A 6
%A 7
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
%V -1
%N -1
%P
%@ 1673-1581
%D 1998
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.B2500421
TY - JOUR
T1 - Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with medications for bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
A1 - Shuangyu QI1*
A1 - Qianfeng CHEN1*
A1 - Yuanyuan ZENG8
A1 - Saboor SAEED1
A1 - 2
A1 - Xiaonan GUO1
A1 - Hetong ZHOU1
A1 - Shaohua HU1
A1 - 2
A1 - 3
A1 - 4
A1 - 5
A1 - 6
A1 - 7
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science B
VL - -1
IS - -1
SP -
EP -
%@ 1673-1581
Y1 - 1998
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.B2500421
Abstract: bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric disorder with severe disease burden, especially as induced by bipolar depression. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has shown antidepressant potential, but its adjunctive benefit when combined with pharmacotherapy remains unclear. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of NIBS combined with medication. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science, including studies up to July 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing NIBS plus medication with medication monotherapy or sham stimulation were included. The primary outcome evaluated was the change in depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes included response rate, remission rate, dropout rate, and cognitive changes. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 748 screened records were included, comprising 11 transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) trials and six transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) trials. Compared with pharmacotherapy alone, NIBS combined with medication was linked to greater reductions in depressive symptoms (SMD=?0.69). Both TMS and tDCS were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms and response rates, whereas a statistically significant association with remission was observed only for TMS. No significant differences were observed in dropout rates or cognitive outcomes. Meta-regression analyses did not identify consistent associations between treatment effects and demographic or stimulation-related variables, although an exploratory potential association between tDCS current intensity and symptom improvement was observed. Conclusions: NIBS combined with medication may offer additional benefit over pharmacotherapy alone for bipolar depression. Nevertheless, substantial heterogeneity and the limited number of available trials warrant cautious interpretation. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify the role of stimulation parameters.
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