rTMS has been studied as a baby-safe alternative to medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in PPD. A 2021 meta-analysis found that rTMS was effective for PPD. However, the included studies were small and the results fairly heterogeneous.[1]
Is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) effective for PPD?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been studied as a safe alternative to medication or electroconvulsive therapy for peripartum depression, and a 2021 meta-analysis indicated its effectiveness. However, the studies included in the analysis were small and yielded heterogeneous results.