Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with exercise therapy on cognitive function and serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in patients with depression. Methods Totally 300 patients with depression from the Department of Psychiatry, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected, and were divided into repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation group (group A) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with exercise therapy group (Group B) accorded to the random number method, 150 cases in each group. Efficacy was evaluated according to the HAMD rating scale. Cognitive function was measured by WCST. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results After treatment, the HAMD scores of group B was higher than that of group A, and the HAMD scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of group B was higher than that of group A (P < 0.05). The number of WCST random errors, WCST persistent errors and WCST total errors in group B were higher than those in group A (P < 0.05), WCST completed classifications was lower than in group A (P < 0.05). After treatment, the number of WCST random errors, the number of WCST persistent errors and the total number of WCST errors were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the number of WCST completed classification was lower than that before treatment (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the combined group were lower than those in the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with exercise therapy may improve cognitive function in patients with depression by inhibiting inflammatory response.