Effects of HF-rTMS over left and right DLPFC on worry and parasympathetic cardiac control.

Active stimulation did not reduce worry, intrusive thoughts or change HRV more than sham in healthy volunteers. A left-right difference nevertheless offers a useful clue about how stimulation side may influence worry and cardiac regulation.

Keppens R, Verde V, Razza LB, De Smet S, Van Boven A, Allaert J, Vanderhasselt MA, Baeken C, Duschek S, Reyes Del Paso GA, Montoro CI, De Raedt R, Pulopulos MM.
International journal of psychophysiology · Publication date: 2026-09-30
Added to site: 2026-10-01
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2026.113481

Electronic publication date verified in PubMed. Crossref records September 2026 without day precision. This source date is separate from the site's addition date.

Modalities

rTMS, TMS, HRV

Clinical focus

Worry, Intrusive thoughts, Parasympathetic cardiac control

Population

Healthy adults completing a breathing-focus task after left-DLPFC, right-DLPFC and sham stimulation

Sample

31 healthy participants

Intervention / method

High-frequency rTMS over the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in randomized within-subject sessions, with HRV measured at rest and during a breathing-focus task

Comparator

Sham stimulation and direct comparison of right- versus left-DLPFC stimulation

Clinician summary

Active HF-rTMS did not differ from sham for RMSSD, intrusive thoughts or worry. Right relative to left DLPFC stimulation was associated with higher self-reported worry and lower RMSSD, while changes in HRV were not associated with changes in worry.

How to interpret the findings

This was a 31-person experimental study in healthy participants, not a treatment trial in people with an anxiety disorder. The lateralization findings were partly exploratory, the abstract did not provide effect sizes or full protocol parameters, and the HRV and worry changes did not covary.

Equipment and disclosures

High-frequency rTMS targeted left and right DLPFC; coil model, frequency, train structure, intensity and targeting method were not available in the checked abstract.

Funding and competing-interest statements were not available in the authoritative indexed abstract checked for this summary.

Related evidence

Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.