rTMS for Sleep Disorders and MCI
Trial question
What is the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in older adults with sleep disorders and MCI?
Study design
Single center
Open label
RCT
Population
Characteristics of study participants
62.0% female
38.0% male
N = 110
110 patients (68 female, 42 male).
Inclusion criteria: older adults aged 60-75 years with sleep disorders and MCI.
Key exclusion criteria: Geriatric Depression Scale-15 score ≥ 9 points; use of antipsychotic drugs within the past month; uncontrolled hypertension; uncontrolled diabetes; musculoskeletal diseases; severe organ diseases and other contraindications to exercise.
Interventions
N=55 repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation plus tai chi chuan 5 times/week for 6 week and 12 week follow-up).
N=55 sham intervention (sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation plus tai chi chuan 5 times/week for 6 week and 12 week follow-up).
Primary outcome
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index subjective sleep quality subscore at 6 weeks
6.7 points
9.5 points
9.5 points
7.1 points
4.8 points
2.4 points
0.0 points
Repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation
Sham
intervention
Significant
decrease ▼
Significant decrease in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index subjective sleep quality subscore at 6 weeks (6.7 points vs. 9.5 points; MD -3.1, 95% CI -4.2 to -2.1).
Secondary outcomes
Significant increase in Montreal Cognitive Assessment global cognitive function subscore at 6 weeks (26.1 points vs. 24.4 points; MD 1.4, 95% CI 0.7 to 2.1).
Significant decrease in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score at 6 weeks (3.7 points vs. 5.5 points; MD -1.9, 95% CI -2.9 to -0.9).
Significant decrease in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score at 6 weeks (2.1 points vs. 3.7 points; MD -1.7, 95% CI -2.5 to -1).
Safety outcomes
No significant difference in adverse events.
Conclusion
In older adults aged 60-75 years with sleep disorders and MCI, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was superior to sham intervention with respect to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index subjective sleep quality subscore at 6 weeks.
Reference
Zhizhen Liu, Lin Zhang, Linxin Bai et al. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Tai Chi Chuan for Older Adults With Sleep Disorders and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2454307.
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