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Cited by 13Electroconvulsive Therapy StudiesTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesSuicide and Self-Harm Studies

Can seizure therapies and noninvasive brain stimulations prevent suicidality? A systematic review

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Chen, Yiming, Magnin, Charline, Brunelin, Jérome, Leaune, Edouard, Fang, Yiru, Poulet, Emmanuel·2021·Brain and Behavior
DOI 10.1002/brb3.2144PMC PMC8119823
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Abstract

Background: Suicide is a major public health issue and the majority of those who attempt suicide suffer from mental disorders. Beyond psychopharmacotherapy, seizure therapies and noninvasive brain stimulation interventions have been used to treat such patients. However, the effect of these nonpharmacological treatments on the suicidal ideation and incidence of suicidality remains unclear. Here, we aimed to provide an update on the effects of seizure therapies and noninvasive brain stimulation on suicidality. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library databases using the MeSH terms “Electroconvulsive Therapy”, “Magnetic Seizure Stimulation”, “repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation”, “transcranial Direct Current Stimulation”, “Cranial Electrostimulation” and “suicide”. We included studies using seizure therapies and noninvasive brain stimulation as a main intervention that evaluated suicidality, regardless of diagnosis. Results: Among 1,019 records screened, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria using either electroconvulsive therapy ( n = 14), magnetic seizure therapy ( n = 2), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( n = 9), or transcranial direct current stimulation ( n = 1). We observed that studies reported significant results, suggesting these techniques can be effective on the suicidal dimension of mental health pathologies, but a general statement regarding their efficacy is premature due to limitations. Conclusions: Future enquiry is necessary to address methodological limitations and evaluate the long‐term efficacy of these methods both alone and in combination with pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy.

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Authors
Chen, Y., Magnin, C., Brunelin, J., Leaune, E., Fang, Y., & Poulet, E.
Affiliations
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
  • Hospices Civils de Lyon (FR)
  • INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292 Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, PSYR2 Team University of Lyon, CH Le Vinatier Lyon France
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
Corresponding author
Fang, Yiru
ORCID
Venue
Brain and Behavior
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-04-10
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
e02144-e02144
ISSN
  • 2157-9032 (ISSN-L)
  • 2162-3279
DOI
10.1002/brb3.2144
PMC
PMC8119823
OpenAlex
W3150811384
Cited by
13
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3
FWCI
0.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Brain and Behavior (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (91232719, 81771465)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Keywords
suicidality, suicide prevention, electroconvulsive therapy, magnetic seizure therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, suicidal ideation, mental illness
MeSH terms
Brain, Humans, Seizures, Suicide, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

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