Trait-dependent effects of theta burst stimulation after psychosocial stress: a sham-controlled study in healthy individuals

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies suggest that theta burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) might be a promising approach to modulate stress-reactive rumination and the associated psychophysiological stress response. Crucially, individuals showing higher levels of trait rumination might benefit more from prefrontal stimulation.

Methods: In this sham-controlled study, 127 healthy individuals, with varying ruminative tendencies, received a single-session of intermittent TBS (iTBS), continuous TBS (cTBS) or sham TBS (sTBS) over the left DLPFC before being confronted with a Trier Social Stress Test.

Results: Results showed significant TBS effects on salivary cortisol as a function of trait rumination. cTBS, as compared to sTBS and iTBS, resulted in an attenuated stress-induced cortisol response in high compared to low trait ruminators. Although independent of trait rumination levels, cTBS showed positive effects on stress-related changes in mood and, both cTBS and iTBS (versus sham) presented an enhanced heart rate recovery following the stressor. We found no evidence for (trait rumination-dependent) TBS effects on stress-reactive rumination, negative affect, subjective stress or heart rate variability.

Conclusions: cTBS shows beneficial effects on certain measures of stress, especially in high trait ruminators.

Significance: These findings highlight the importance of accounting for individual differences when examining TBS effects.

Keywords: Cortisol; Prefrontal Cortex (PFC); Psychophysiology; Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS); Rumination; Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS); Trier Social Stress Test.