A 60-patient pilot trial published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex may help patients with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa — a population with limited evidence-based treatment options. The trial enrolled patients who had been ill for an average of 13 years and had failed multiple prior treatment attempts.
Patients received 30 sessions over six weeks. At three months, 43% met criteria for weight stabilization and reduction in core eating disorder symptoms compared with 18% in a matched historical control group. Self-reported rumination and anxiety scores also improved meaningfully.
The authors emphasized that the trial was open-label and uncontrolled, and that the population represents a small subset of anorexia patients. Larger sham-controlled trials are required before clinical conclusions can be drawn. Two such trials, funded by the NIMH and Wellcome Trust, are scheduled to begin enrolling in late 2026.
Eating disorder treatment guidelines have not yet been updated. The American Psychiatric Association's eating disorders work group is expected to review the data at its next meeting.
Source
Reporting based on coverage from The Lancet Psychiatry. This article is editorial summary intended for general information; it is not medical advice.