Depression is a common disorder and mental health issue that has affected a great number of people across the globe. A subset of such individuals are not able to utilize conventional methods such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. One such alternative non-invasive depression treatment is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which is quickly gaining popularity as a New Jersey depression treatment. Using magnetic pulses, specific regions of the brain can be stimulated using TMS, having positive effects in the treatment of depression, particularly in those who have not been able to achieve remission with other treatments.
The success rates of depression TMS according to the different protocols, how does it compare with standard treatment of depression and TMS, why is it a good option for treating depression in terms of safety and efficiency will be discussed in this blog.
Evaluating the Success Rates of TMS Treatment
TMS is a treatment option where FDA has cleared and is used by clinicians for treatment of patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, more so, patients who have not benefited from the conventional treatment options such as antidepressants or psychotherapy. It involves a magnetic coil which is placed over the scalp which generates electro-magnetic pulses to the target which is the prefrontal cortex which is known to be the control centre of depression in the human brain.
The efficiency of TMS in alleviating depression symptoms differs in various aspects such as intensity of depression symptoms exhibited, health status of a patient, or the prescribed TMS protocol. Several clinical studies indicate that about half to two-thirds TMS including between 20 and 30 sessions is effective to treat depression, with most of its patients reporting notable relief of symptoms after two weeks of the entire program.
However, there are factors that affect success rates and they include:
- Degree of Depression: Those suffering severe or chronic depression may have lesser improvement or need a more individualized approach.
- Past Treatments: Patients who have been unsuccessful with antidepressants or other therapies are more likely to respond effectively to TMS.
- Health and Comorbidities of Patients: General health, presence of other mental disorders, and lifestyle medicine also determine the outcome of TMS.
Success Rates of Different TMS Protocols
TMS does not cure everything like every other medication. For that reason, various protocols have been developed in the past few decades in order to best suit the patients’ needs and improve the overall response to the treatment. They include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or rTMS, Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation or dTMS, Intermittent theta-burst stimulation or iTBS. Let’s explore some of these protocols and their reported success rates.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Of all the TMS procedures, it is the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) that is the most recognized. In this method, a series of magnetic pulses are aimed at the prefrontal cortex that has shown to enhance the ability to control emotional states among individuals having depression.
The evidence indicates that rTMS has been able to help approximately 50% to 60% of patients suffering from moderate depression. Some research points out that effectiveness appears to be cumulative with number of sessions. rTMS is best used for individuals suffering from mild to moderate depression and many people report feeling more positive within a few weeks after starting the treatment.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)
The Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is an improved TMS Therapy New Jersey that applies a unique coil to reach greater parts of the brain. Deep TMS can reach areas of the brain structured deeper than the cingulate gyrus – a part that normally can only be reached by rTMS that only affects superficial areas of the prefrontal cortex but is however connected with more severe levels of depression.
In dTMS, rates of treatment response are better than in rTMS, particularly among people suffering from severe depression or chronic depression. There are studies which demonstrate that 0.2 percent of dTMS patients have their depression symptoms after the treatment up to 70 percent of the time. This makes dTMS as a very helpful procedure for people who are poor responders to traditional antidepressant strategies.
Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (iTBS) is a recent addition to TMS whereby a series of bursts of magnetic pulses is done at a particular high frequency. This is intended to achieve quicker outcomes in a number of sittings lower than standard times for ordinary rTMS.
The possibility of providing rapid relief of the symptoms is one of the great advantages of iTBS. After several sessions, most patients receiving iTBS achieve improvement, with the exception of just 10-15 sessions showing significant changes in some patients. The rates of success of iTBS fall within the range of the success rates of rTMS which are approximately 50-60 percent, only that the outcomes are achieved quicker.
TMS Versus Other Forms of Treatment for Depression: Perspectives for the Future
Although TMS is good, the other routine practices especially within depression should also be evaluated for its relative benefits as well as its limitations in order to understand TMS effectiveness.
TMS vs. Other Medications for Depression
For many years, the most viable option for the treatment of depression has been the use of traditional antidepressant medications, the most common types being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Yet, a huge number of patients are not satisfied, claiming either partial relief or no relief altogether. Besides, the treatment of these antidepressants, one can also face few side effects, these may include weight gain, sexual dysfunction and insomnia.
On the other hand, TMS is a painless treatment option, that has no side effects. It avoids the classical alteration of chemical neurotransmission by using a direct approach to brain regions and as such, it is suitable for those who do not respond well to medication. TMS, unlike antidepressants, also does not have risks for dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
TMS vs. Ketamine Therapy for Depression
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been found to be an effective form of treatment for unipolar and bipolar depression where standard treatment has failed. It is very effective, with the effect being felt hours after administration, but unfortunately its effects are not long lasting and therefore regular treatments are necessary. Lastly, ketamine can also be associated with dissociative symptoms and psychedelic experiences which are not pleasant to some people.
TMS, on the other hand, achieves long lasting freedom from pain without the side effects related to ketamine. Moreover, it is less intrusive, and the rate of effectiveness is more consistent. Even though ketamine treatment is fast acting, TMS is able to yield better long term results especially when combined with other therapies.
TMS vs. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
In the case of depression which is severe and does not respond to treatment, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is employed but it is very invasive with its adverse effects including memory loss, decrease in cognitive ability, and complications associated with anesthesia. On the other hand, TMS is safe and non-invasive with only minor side effects. TMS has been shown to be effective in severe depression, whereby an anesthetic and hospitalization are not needed, compared with ECT, which has a high success rate.
Why TMS is a Leading Choice for Depression Treatment
TMS is fast gaining popularity among patients who are battling depression and have not had any success with other forms of treatment. The benefits of TMS such as safety, strong efficacy, and non-invasive nature make it easy to use. To begin with, TMS does not have addiction issues and does not have a high risk of adverse effects unlike ECT and therefore would be preferred by individuals looking for a somatic treatment for their mental illnesses.
At HWS Center, TMS therapy is administered in a way that responds to the individual needs of the patient. Such a personalized approach maximizes the success chances and anticipates that a particular treatment plan is appropriate to the patient’s condition in relation to his medical reports.
What to Expect During TMS Treatment at HWS Center
When considering tichloroengenesis, one should be aware of how the process proceeds. The procedure usually consists of several sessions done over a period of weeks. Each session is approximately 30-40minutes and during these sessions the patients remain awake and conscious. TMS is well tolerated in most patients. Side effects of the procedure do not go beyond mild discomfort and headache.
At HWS Center, each patient’s treatment is individualized. We will keep you in the loop throughout the treatment so that we may adjust the protocol on the basis of the expected outcome. Our emphasis is on bringing about permanent relief from depression and reinstating the lost control of one’s life.
Conclusion
Depression has been for long described as a terminal area of mental illness, however with TMS, depression has been managed effectively and has now turned out to be a terminal area of treatment. Unlocking Lasting Emotional Wellness with TMS and HWS Therapy. The use of TMS as a treatment for depression is helping the patients get back to their normal lives, regardless of whether it is through the use of rTMS, dTMS, or iTBS method. Out of various treatments for depression, including medications, ketamine infusion, or ECT especially, TMS is the most effective method with minimal side effects and long-lasting benefits.
Getting TMS in New Jersey can be the next massive step towards finding Resistant Depression Treatment New Jersey for many people. To find out more about how TMS and its advanced strategies can help treat depression, get in touch with HWS Center.
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