Effects of different modes of transcranial magnetic stimulation on impulsivity and craving in methamphetamine-dependent individuals

Objective To investigate the differences in impulsivity between methamphetamine (MA)-dependent and healthy populations, as well as to explore the effects of high-frequency 10 Hz mode repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on impulsivity and craving in MA-dependent individuals.

Methods Seventy-five MA-dependent subjects undergoing withdrawal treatment in a drug rehabilitation facility in Anhui province were divided into three groups using a random number table method: the sham stimulation group, the rTMS group and the iTBS group.All subjects received the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) and the VAS scale before and after transcranial magnetic therapy.Fifty healthy adult males matched to the general profile of MA-dependent individuals were recruited from the community and served as healthy controls.

Results The motor impulsivity and total score of the MA-dependent group were higher than those of the healthy control group (P < 0.01).After 4 weeks of treatment, both the rTMS and iTBS groups showed a decrease in craving, motor impulsivity, and total score scores (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), There was no statistically significant difference in scores between the sham stimulation group before and after treatment (P>0.05), The inter group comparison found that the motor impulsivity and total score of the rTMS group after treatment were lower than those of the sham stimulation group (P < 0.05), while the motor impulsivity, cognitive impulsivity, unplanned impulsivity, and total score of the iTBS group after treatment were lower than those of the sham stimulation group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01);There was no statistically significant difference in craving among the three groups after treatment (P>0.05).The reduction rates of motor, cognitive, and total impulse scores in the iTBS group were significantly higher than those in the sham stimulation group (P < 0.01), while the reduction rates of motor and total impulse scores in the rTMS group were higher than those in the sham stimulation group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the change in craving among the three groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions MA-dependent individuals have high levels of impulsivity.Both iTBS and 10 Hz rTMS help to reduce impulsivity and craving in dependent individuals, and the treatment effects of both modalities were comparable.