TMS Treatment
repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a completely non-invasive treatment that stimulates brain cells in specific areas of the brain.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment has become an effective treatment for clinical depression, especially where other therapies such as medication have failed. TMS treatment has been acknowledged & approved by NICE & FDA for the treatment of clinical depression.
How does TMS work?
“The brief and highly focused magnetic pulses stimulate specific regions of the brain: the left pre-frontal cortex (PFC) for the treatment of severe depression. The magnetic pulses that pass through to the brain have an excitatory effect on the left PFC, inducing brain activity. This results in a significant improvement in positive mood regulation and the executive functions of the PFC.”
Is TMS compatible with other treatments?
Yes, TMS treatment is compatible with other treatments. You can still have anti-depressants or other medications if necessary. You can also attend talking therapy sessions or any other psychological interventions. Additionally, a combination of TMS treatment and psychological therapies are showing better treatment outcomes.
Is TMS safe?
“Yes, TMS treatment is non-invasive, which means that needles or anaesthetics are not required for the procedure. NICE states that TMS treatment has minimal risk and it is safe for the treatment of mental health disorders.”
NICE approval of rTMS treatment for depression
‘NICE’ (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) approves the use of TMS for the treatment of depression and states that “Specialist advisers listed improvements in depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life as efficacy outcomes … commentary from patients was positive and described significant benefits to their quality of life” after receiving TMS treatment for depression. NICE has issued a recommended guideline for members of the public.
TMS Treatment Benefits
TMS treatment can be a life-changing treatment for patients suffering from severe depression. Patients treated with TMS report relief from the emotional effects of depression and experience improvement in mood, motivation and confidence as well as changes in appetite, body aches and lack of energy.
- It is highly effective in treating depression symptoms
- It is a long-lasting treatment with minimal side effects
- Treatment is well tolerated & comfortable
- Unlike Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), it does not require anaesthesia or lead to memory impairment
- Daily activities can be resumed immediately after each session
- 20-minute sessions
What are the potential side effects of TMS?
“Mild scalp irritation and mild headache affect nearly one-half of all patients and usually go away after the first week of treatment. If symptoms persist after the first two weeks, an over-the-counter analgesic may be taken. If symptoms still persist, the TMS physician can reduce the strength of the magnetic field pulses being administered to make treatment more comfortable. In 10,000 treatments during clinical trials, no long-term side effects were associated with TMS.”
TMS Treatment Protocols Offered
Various treatment protocol options are available, all of which are clinically proven. The most suitable treatment protocol will be discussed and explained during your initial consultation.
- rTMS (Repetitive TMS)
- Unilateral TMS
- Bilateral TMS
- Excitatory TMS
- iTBS (Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation)
- Inhibitory TMS
- Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS)
- Accelerated TMS
Evidence Based Treatment
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression. NICE Guidelines Publication
The data supporting the use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for depression indicate minimal safety risks. The efficacy of rTMS in treating depressive disorders has been established, albeit with a range of clinical responses. The implementation of rTMS for depression is considered appropriate within standard clinical governance and audit frameworks. Furthermore, rTMS has demonstrated potential effectiveness in the management of major depressive episodes. Published 2015 Source.
FDA permits the marketing of transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) employs magnetic fields to activate neuronal cells within the cerebral cortex. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the marketing of TMS for the therapeutic management of major depressive disorder. This authorisation was further extended in 2013 to encompass the application of TMS in the treatment of pain related to specific forms of migraine headaches. Published 2008 Source.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and acceptability of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating major depression
Bilateral rTMS stands out as a compelling treatment option for Major Depression (MD), delivering clinical benefits that match or surpass those observed with conventional antidepressants and unilateral rTMS. Moreover, bilateral rTMS is emerging as a well-tolerated therapy among individuals suffering from depression, further underscoring its potential as an effective treatment modality. Published 2012 Source.
Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) after two antidepressant treatment failures: meta-analysis of randomised sham-controlled trials.
rTMS demonstrates a significant superiority over sham rTMS in achieving response and remission in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), suggesting its utility as an adjunctive therapy in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have not responded to at least two prior treatments. This evidence aligns with the conclusions of previous meta-analyses, although the observed effect size is somewhat less pronounced than reported in earlier studies. This reinforces the therapeutic potential of rTMS in the management of TRD. Published 2023 Source.
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