The study is monocentric, sham - controlled, randomized and triple blind (subjects, ECT and TMS practitioners, psychological assessment and outcome assessor). Subjects are randomized into two arms.
The primary objective is to determine whether TMS priming using the iTBS protocol prior to ECT results in a reduction of the seizure threshold. iTBS is administered with the shortest possible latency before the ECT procedure itself, ideally within two minutes of iTBS completion. The target site is the left DLPFC. The ECT dose is determined via a titration method to identify the lowest energy level required to elicit an epileptic seizure (seizure threshold). From the second session onwards, a stimulus intensity of 6 times the seizure threshold (6xST) is applied.
Delivered energy is measured in percentage for TMS and ECT of the maximum charge that the devices are able to administer. In the event of inadequate seizure duration, the dose will be increased by 100% at the subsequent session.
Primary outcome of the study is the overall apllied dose. Then Time to Recovery (TTR) is measured in minutes until fully awake. The subjects will be closely monitored throughout the entire ECT courses including psychometric scales.
The MECTA SIGMA device will be used for ECT. The Deymed DuoMAG XT will be used for TMS/iTBS.
