Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an FDA-cleared treatment approved for treatment of major depressive disorder in patients who have not been successful with at least one antidepressant.
The targeted treatments activate the natural function of the brain’s neurotransmitters over the course of 36 sessions. rTMS is a non-drug, non-invasive treatment with no adverse systemic, cognitive or sleep side effects. At Wake Forest Baptist Psychiatry, we use the NeuroStar machine which has a contact sensing system and contoured coil design to ensure the full stimulation is delivered. Our clinic strives to create a spa-like atmosphere with the use of the NeuroStar reclined treatment chair and access to videos/television during treatments.
NeuroStar is reimbursed by most commercial and government health care plans.
The 36 sessions are provided Monday through Friday over the course of 6 weeks with the remaining treatments serving as a taper. Each session lasts between 20 to 40 minutes depending on the patient’s motor threshold. Motor thresholds are determined on the first day of treatment.
To see if you qualify for rTMS, please contact us at 336-716-4551 to schedule an appointment.
rTMS Side Effects
rTMS is a non-drug, non-invasive treatment thus has very few side effects. The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site which typically can be relieved by minor treatment adjustments. There are no systemic side effects or adverse effects on cognition or sleep reported in studies.
rTMS Results
Per NeuroStar, over 1.5 million treatments have been delivered to 60,000 patients. There are now over 850 systems in 49 states with 11 clinical trials and 23 peer-reviewed publications. Significant improvement is noted in 58% of patients receiving treatment with 37% reporting remission of depressive symptoms.