Enhancing Cognitive Restructuring with Concurrent Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Transdiagnostic Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Emotional dysregulation constitutes a serious public health problem in need of novel transdiagnostic treatments. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To this aim, we developed and tested a one-time intervention that integrates behavioral skills training with concurrent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Forty-six adults who met criteria for at least one DSM-5 disorder and self-reported low use of cognitive restructuring (CR) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial that used a between-subjects design. Participants were taught CR and underwent active rTMS applied at 10 Hz over the right (<i>n</i> = 17) or left (<i>n</i> = 14) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) or sham rTMS (<i>n</i> = 15) while practicing reframing and emotional distancing in response to autobiographical stressors. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Those who received active left or active right as opposed to sham rTMS exhibited enhanced regulation (<i>d</i>s = 0.21–0.62) as measured by psychophysiological indices during the intervention (higher high-frequency heart rate variability, lower regulation duration). Those who received active rTMS over the left dlPFC also self-reported reduced distress throughout the intervention (<i>d</i> = 0.30), higher likelihood to use CR, and lower daily distress during the week following the intervention. The procedures were acceptable and feasible with few side effects. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> These findings show that engaging frontal circuits simultaneously with cognitive skills training and rTMS may be clinically feasible, well-tolerated and may show promise for the treatment of transdiagnostic emotional dysregulation. Larger follow-up studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this novel therapeutic approach.