Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Relieves Maternal Care Impairment

Background: Emotional dysregulation in patients with maternal care impairment represents a significant therapeutic challenge. While aberrant central processing is implicated, the key brain regions driving these negative emotional states and their suitability as neuromodulatory targets remain undefined.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to the sham rTMS or rTMS group using a computer-generated randomization sequence created by an independent researcher who was not involved in recruitment, treatment, or outcome assessment. Allocation concealment was ensured using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, which were opened only after baseline evaluations were completed. Both participants and outcome assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. The rTMS operators were not involved in data collection or analysis. For the sham condition, the coil was positioned identically over the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) with magnetic output disabled, and prerecorded clicking sounds were delivered to mimic the acoustic sensation of stimulation. Participants were asked not to discuss treatment sensations with assessors. Scale raters and fMRI analysts remained blinded until all analyses were finalized.

For the nested fMRI cohort, randomization and blinding procedures were identical, with group allocation revealed only after preprocessing and statistical analysis had been completed.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy mothers.
• Aged between 18 and 45 years.
• No pharmacological treatment (excluding emergency treatment) for at least 2 weeks prior to the start of treatment; cannot be enrolled in other clinical trials simultaneously.
• Voluntarily sign the informed consent form and willingly participate in the clinical study.

Exclusion criteria

• Age below 18 years or above 45 years.
• Unmarried, nulliparous women.
• Individuals with severe liver, kidney, hematological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, or other conditions that significantly affect cognitive function.
• Participants with a clear history of organic diseases, or systemic conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc.
• Participants undergoing other treatments or taking medications that may interfere with the outcome assessment.
• Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or women within six months postpartum.
• Individuals with severe needle phobia, metal allergies, or allergic conditions, or those with a cardiac pacemaker.
• Participants who do not comply with random group assignment or have unstable tendencies such as poor adherence.
• Individuals currently participating in other research studies.
• Individuals unwilling to sign the informed consent form.