Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Delirium: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Pilot Study

Purpose: Delirium is a fatal but potentially reversible disorder of Central Nervous System that adds a lot of costs on health systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation on severity and course of delirium. Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, pilot study. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups of active intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and sham group. The severity of delirium was assessed 15 minutes prior to the intervention and 15 minutes after that by NEECHAM Confusion scale. Results: In the active group, total and subscale scores of NEECHAM significantly decreased after intervention (P<0.05). Although no statistical difference was found in the control group in subscale scores of NEECHAM, the difference of the total scores before and after the sham intervention was statistically significant. Conclusion: Carrying one session of rTMS on the left DLPFC can reduce the delirium severity in a short period, although it will not decrease the frequency of delirium, three days after the operation.