Efficacy of perioperative repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for postoperative depression in breast cancer patients: study protocol for a single-center randomized controlled trial

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, and the perioperative period represents a vulnerable phase during which surgical stress and psychological burden may contribute to postoperative depression and impaired recovery. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established non-invasive neuromodulation technique for depressive disorders; however, evidence regarding its application for preventing postoperative depression (PD) in patients with breast cancer remains limited.