Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for cognitive function in adults with bipolar disorder: A pilot study

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits are prevalent in bipolar disorder and are a significant contributor to negative patient-reported outcomes. Herein we conducted a pilot study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve cognitive function in adults with bipolar disorder. Methods The study was a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-control trial. Participants (aged 18 to 60) with a diagnosis of DSM-5-defined bipolar disorder (I or II) were recruited and randomized (N=36) to receive either a sham treatment (n=20) or an active rTMS treatment (n=16). Patients completed the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) at baseline and 1-2 weeks after the rTMS intervention. Results A significant group by time interaction was observed in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R), (F (1, 34) = 17.0, p Limitations The study was conducted in a small sample . Conclusion This pilot study, which was intended to establish feasibility, suggests that rTMS may offer benefit in select domains of cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder. None of the measures across subdomains revealed a dyscognitive effect.