Advancing the treatment of adolescents with depression: Parent preferences for adolescent depression treatment, and evaluation of the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

This project explored parent preferences for adolescent depression treatments, and the effects of an emerging intervention among adolescents. The impact of treatment experiences and beliefs about the causes of depression on treatment preferences was examined. A treatment trial was conducted to examine the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation among adolescents with depression – a treatment which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in depression. Anxiety outcomes, side effects, safety, treatment acceptability, and adolescents’ and parents’ subjective treatment experiences were monitored. This knowledge will help to inform the wider use and investigation of this treatment among adolescents with depression.