Objective  To observe the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on memory impairment induced by modified electric convulsive therapy (MECT) in patients with depression.

  Methods  Totally 80 patients with depression were randomly divided into two groups, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with MECT and rTMS therapy, while the observation group was treated with MECT and rTMS therapy. The scores of related dimensions of Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) at the time points of before treatment, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month of treatment were compared between the two groups. The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The adverse events during treatment were recorded in both groups.

  Results  The scores of recognition, picture, association and number recitation dimensions of WMS in both groups on the first day of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment and one month of treatment, the scores of recognition and picture dimensions in the observation group on the first day and one week of treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group, while the scores of association and number recitation dimensions in the observation group on the first day, one week and two weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The HAMD and HAMA scores of the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the HAMD and HAMA scores of the observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  The effect of rTMS combined with MECT is better than the MECT in the treatment of patients with depression, which can improve the memory impairment and mental state, and will not increase the occurrence of adverse events.