The first large-scale study on the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on depression, conducted jointly by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Rush University, found that TMS is a safe and effective treatment for depression.
The results will be published December 1 by the journal Biological Psychiatry. The editor of the neuroscience journal, John Krystal, told the AFP: “This study provides new support for the efficacy of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) as a ’stand alone’ treatment for depression… This finding could be particularly important for patients who do not tolerate antidepressant medications, for whom they are not safe, or who have not benefited from other alternative treatments.”
This study differed from previous TMS studies in that it used larger doses of energy and utilized a larger number of participants. Researchers found that among patients who received TMS treatment as opposed to a placebo, rates of remission were reported to be twice as high– which is also higher than rates of remission reported in clinical trials for anti-depressants.
Researchers noted that most of the participants in their study had failed to respond to anti-depressants in previous attempts at treatment. With more than 300 patients at over 23 sites in the United States, Canada, and Australia, the study experienced a low drop-out rate among participants, an indication that TMS is well-tolerated by patients.
For further information on TMS as a depression treatment, and how you can help those who suffer from major depression, please visit The Elata Foundation’s website: http://www.elata.org. Elata is a 501(c)3 foundation, designated by the IRS, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
Filed under: Depression News, TMS researchers, TMS treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation | Tagged: anti-depressants, clinical study, depression, science, tms, transcranial magnetic stimulation, treatment for depression
