ISSN 0189-1774
 
2026, Vol: 24, Issue: 2
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Original Article
Online Published: 01 Aug 2026
 


Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abdullahi Abdulwahab Yakubu, Muhammad Aliyu, Audu Ishaq Aveka, Umar Adam Muhammad, Ahmed Sherif Isa, Tajudeen Abiola, Surajudeen Abdulkadir, Summayyah Muhammad Bashar, Bashir Adam Yakasai, Erin Emmanuel Babatunde, Olasubulu Olaolu Adebowale, Udofia Owoidoho.

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    • Abstract
    Background: Depression remains a global health challenge, with many patients failing to achieve sustained remission using conventional treatments. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and Fluoxetine (an SSRI) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD).
    Objective: This study compared the efficacy of rTMS to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depression.
    Methods: Forty adults with MDD were randomized to receive either rTMS (twice weekly for 6 weeks; n = 20) or Fluoxetine (20 mg/day for 6 months; n= 20). Sham procedures controlled for placebo effects. Depression severity was measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Data were analyzed via mixed-design ANOVA.
    Results: Both treatments significantly reduced HAM-D scores over time (p < .001, η² = 0.997). While no main effect of treatment was observed (p =.15, η² = 0.054), rTMS showed superior long-term efficacy. At 6 months, rTMS achieved near-remission (mean HAM-D = 0.20 vs. 1.10 for Fluoxetine; p < .001, 95% CI [−1.12, −0.68]). At 12 months, rTMS maintained a lower symptom burden (mean HAM-D = 7.30 vs. 9.30; p = .017, 95% CI [−3.92, −0.08]) The time × treatment interaction was significant (p = .017, η² = 0.243), indicating rTMS’s sustained benefit.
    Conclusion: rTMS may offer more durable antidepressant effects than Fluoxetine, particularly beyond 6 months. These findings support rTMS as a first-line intervention for MDD, though larger trials are needed to confirm its long-term advantage.

    Key words: Depression, Fluoxetine, Neuromodulation, Randomized Controlled Trial, rTMS


    		 
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    How to Cite this Article
    Pubmed Style

    Yakubu AA, Aliyu M, Aveka AI, Muhammad UA, Isa AS, Abiola T, Abdulkadir S, Bashar SM, Yakasai BA, Babatunde EE, Adebowale OO, Owoidoho U. Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. NJP. 2026; 24(2): 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359

    Web Style

    Yakubu AA, Aliyu M, Aveka AI, Muhammad UA, Isa AS, Abiola T, Abdulkadir S, Bashar SM, Yakasai BA, Babatunde EE, Adebowale OO, Owoidoho U. Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. https://nigerianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?mno=234359 [Access: August 01, 2026]. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359

    AMA (American Medical Association) Style

    Yakubu AA, Aliyu M, Aveka AI, Muhammad UA, Isa AS, Abiola T, Abdulkadir S, Bashar SM, Yakasai BA, Babatunde EE, Adebowale OO, Owoidoho U. Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. NJP. 2026; 24(2): 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    Vancouver/ICMJE Style

    Yakubu AA, Aliyu M, Aveka AI, Muhammad UA, Isa AS, Abiola T, Abdulkadir S, Bashar SM, Yakasai BA, Babatunde EE, Adebowale OO, Owoidoho U. Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. NJP. (2026), [cited August 01, 2026]; 24(2): 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    Harvard Style

    Yakubu, A. A., Aliyu, . M., Aveka, . A. I., Muhammad, . U. A., Isa, . A. S., Abiola, . T., Abdulkadir, . S., Bashar, . S. M., Yakasai, . B. A., Babatunde, . E. E., Adebowale, . O. O. & Owoidoho, . U. (2026) Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. NJP, 24 (2), 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    Turabian Style

    Yakubu, Abdullahi Abdulwahab, Muhammad Aliyu, Audu Ishaq Aveka, Umar Adam Muhammad, Ahmed Sherif Isa, Tajudeen Abiola, Surajudeen Abdulkadir, Summayyah Muhammad Bashar, Bashir Adam Yakasai, Erin Emmanuel Babatunde, Olasubulu Olaolu Adebowale, and Udofia Owoidoho. 2026. Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 24 (2), 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    Chicago Style

    Yakubu, Abdullahi Abdulwahab, Muhammad Aliyu, Audu Ishaq Aveka, Umar Adam Muhammad, Ahmed Sherif Isa, Tajudeen Abiola, Surajudeen Abdulkadir, Summayyah Muhammad Bashar, Bashir Adam Yakasai, Erin Emmanuel Babatunde, Olasubulu Olaolu Adebowale, and Udofia Owoidoho. "Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 24 (2026), 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

    Yakubu, Abdullahi Abdulwahab, Muhammad Aliyu, Audu Ishaq Aveka, Umar Adam Muhammad, Ahmed Sherif Isa, Tajudeen Abiola, Surajudeen Abdulkadir, Summayyah Muhammad Bashar, Bashir Adam Yakasai, Erin Emmanuel Babatunde, Olasubulu Olaolu Adebowale, and Udofia Owoidoho. "Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 24.2 (2026), 1-11. Print. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


    APA (American Psychological Association) Style

    Yakubu, A. A., Aliyu, . M., Aveka, . A. I., Muhammad, . U. A., Isa, . A. S., Abiola, . T., Abdulkadir, . S., Bashar, . S. M., Yakasai, . B. A., Babatunde, . E. E., Adebowale, . O. O. & Owoidoho, . U. (2026) Comparing The Efficacies Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 24 (2), 1-11. doi:10.5455/NJP.234359


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