Trial results comparing Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Depression were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-05-11. The study indicated that 3 participants in the MST group experienced worsening of autobiographical memory, significantly fewer than the 19 participants in the ECT group.
Background
Depression, including unipolar and treatment-resistant forms, remains a significant public health challenge. Despite various medication trials, a substantial percentage of patients, estimated at 30-40%, experience a pharmacologically resistant form of the illness. The limitations of current treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and the associated economic burden highlight the ongoing need for new therapeutic interventions that can achieve higher response and remission rates. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for severe depression, particularly when other options have failed, but it is often associated with cognitive side effects, including memory impairment.
Trial design
This completed trial (NCT03191058) enrolled 239 participants to assess the efficacy and tolerability of Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) as an alternative to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). The trial was designated as 'NA' for phase. Participants had diagnoses of Depression, Unipolar Depression, or Treatment Resistant Depression. The study compared outcomes between participants receiving Magnetic Seizure Therapy and those receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy.
Key results
Key measurements from the trial included:
- For Remission of Depression on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-24 Item (HRSD-24), 25 participants in the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group achieved remission, compared to 30 participants in the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group.
- Regarding Worsening of Autobiographical Memory on the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), 3 participants in the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group experienced worsening, while 19 participants in the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group did.
- For Remission on the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI), 44 participants in the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group achieved remission, versus 36 participants in the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group.
- Response on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-24 Item (HRSD-24) was achieved by 52 participants in the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group and 52 participants in the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group.
- The mean Score on the Brief Symptom Inventory Anxiety Section (BSI-A) was 5.2 with a Standard Deviation of 5.3 for the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group, and 6.5 with a Standard Deviation of 5.4 for the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group.
- For Response on the Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Scale (CGI-I), 21 participants in the Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) group showed a response, compared to 13 participants in the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) group.
What this means
The trial results suggest that Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) may offer a comparable alternative to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for depression, with potential advantages in certain areas. While remission rates on the HRSD-24 were slightly lower for MST (25 vs 30 participants for ECT), MST showed a notable benefit in cognitive side effects, with significantly fewer participants experiencing worsening autobiographical memory (3 vs 19 for ECT). MST also demonstrated a higher rate of remission on the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (44 vs 36 for ECT) and a lower mean anxiety score (5.2 vs 6.5 for ECT). Response rates on the HRSD-24 were identical (52 participants in both groups), and MST showed a higher response on the CGI-I (21 vs 13 for ECT). These findings indicate that MST could be a valuable treatment option, particularly for patients concerned about the cognitive impact associated with ECT.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for study NCT03191058, titled "Confirmatory Efficacy and Safety Trial of Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Depression," were posted on 2026-05-11 on clinicaltrials.gov.