february, 2021
TMS Benefits vs Medication Efficacy
Finding the right treatment option for depression can be overwhelming and exhausting.
At the Center for Focused Care we believe that TMS can be highly beneficial especially for those of you who have already tried several anti depression meditations without any relief in symptoms.
TMS therapy is completely non-invasive, and does not require sedation or anesthesia. Patients may drive home following a treatment session.
Although medications are helpful in many cases, they do come with several unpleasant side effects such as:
- nausea
- increased appetite and weight gain
- loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased orgasm
- fatigue and drowsiness
- insomnia
- dry mouth
- blurred vision
- constipation
- dizziness
- agitation
- irritability
- anxiety
On the flip side, TMS is free of common side effects seen in antidepressant medications. One may experience very mild side effects such as headache and scalp discomfort.
TMS benefits include:
- Reducing fatigue
- Reducing sadness and low mood
- Reducing anxiety and feelings of anxiousness
- Improving sleep
- Improving appetite
- Improving energy levels
At the Center for Focused Care, our patients find significant relief after TMS treatment.
Thus far, we have performed around 7,420 TMS treatments with 72% success rate!
- 35.6% reach 50% reduction in the PHQ-9 Scores (depression test questionnaire)
- 34.6% reach remission scores on PHQ-9
- 29.7% did not respond
Results from the STAR*D Study:
The likelihood of achieving remission is limited and declines with each successive treatment attempt.
The likelihood of discontinuing treatment increases with each new treatment attempt.
TMS—An Appropriate Option for Depression Treatment.
In the 3rd edition of Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depression (2010), the American Psychiatric Association (APA) cited TMS as an appropriate treatment option for depression patients who have not benefited from initial antidepressant pharmacotherapy.
References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18232722/
