Late-life depression trial shows why follow-up timing matters

A randomized trial in October's American Journal of Psychiatry tested bilateral theta-burst stimulation in 108 adults aged 60 and older with moderate to severe depression. Participants received active or sham stimulation over a treatment course with later booster sessions.

The active group did not have a statistically significant advantage in depression-score improvement at week six. By week twelve, the reported difference favored active treatment, with response rates of 52% and 33% respectively.

Both results belong in the interpretation. A later positive comparison should not erase the earlier negative one, particularly when judging the strength and timing of a treatment effect.