Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs).
Specific interventions included in the review
rTMS was applied at 10 or 20 Hz to the left frontal region, or at 1 Hz to the right hemisphere. The placebo treatment consisted of application of the TMS coil at an ineffective angle of 45 or 90 degrees to the scalp surface.
Participants included in the review
Individuals with either schizophrenia or mood disorders. All of the relevant trials included only those patients who met the American Psychiatric Association DSM-III-R or DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive episode.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Scores on either the 17-, 21-, or 25-point Hamilton Depression Rating Scale formed the primary outcome. The authors also reported on withdrawals, symptoms, and scores on the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.