What is the Success Rate of TMS?
Depression can feel like a never-ending cycle of different medications without finding any true relief. But for those with treatment-resistant depression, many have found significant breakthroughs with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This non-invasive, FDA-approved therapy uses gentle magnetic pulses to target the brain areas responsible for mood regulation, thus offering new hope when other options have failed.
However, the question remains: to what extent is TMS effective? Patients who know the success rate of TMS can better understand the results to expect from the treatment and why this method is leading more and more people to lasting improvement.
How TMS Works
During TMS sessions, a magnetic coil is placed on the scalp to stimulate the nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for mood and emotional control. Eventually, the repeated stimulation retrains the neural pathways that are underactive and that have been linked to depression.
TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation. The duration of each session is approximately 20 minutes, and patients are free to continue with their usual daily activities immediately after the session. Generally, the treatments are scheduled five days a week for six to eight weeks. TMS is a great choice for those who have not been successful with antidepressants or those looking for a drug-free route in the management of their symptoms.
What Success Really Means
In terms of TMS, it’s essential to understand the clinical definition of “success.” Researchers typically evaluate outcomes in two ways: response and remission. Response is associated with a major alleviation of depressive symptoms, normally a reduction of 50% or more. Remission is when symptoms become so mild that the patient no longer meets the criteria for major depression.
Success with TMS doesn’t mean symptoms will vanish overnight. For a large number of individuals, it is getting back to functioning normally, enjoying usual activities, and regaining motivation.
Clinical Evidence and Results
Multiple large-scale studies have shown TMS to be safe and effective. The statistics show that 50-60% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression have a meaningful response from TMS. Of those, around 30-40% of those patients will achieve full remission, which means their depressive symptoms will be reduced to almost nothing.
Additionally, TMS is increasingly being recognized as a potential treatment for anxiety, OCD, and PTSD, along with depression. This is due to its ability to regulate brain activity in regions of the brain responsible for emotional processing.
What Influences the Success of TMS
Although there is much evidence to support TMS, not everyone will have the same exact response. There are a number of other factors that influence the effectiveness of TMS:
- Depression severity and duration: Depression that is chronic, or lasts a long time, may have to be treated with more sessions or follow-up treatments.
- Consistency: Going to sessions regularly is important to get the best possible outcome. If you miss appointments, it can disrupt the progress you’ve made.
- Expertise of the provider: Clinics that tailor TMS treatment based on each person’s brain activity often see stronger results.
- Combination approach: Many patients are most successful when TMS is combined with therapy, medication management, or healthy lifestyle changes.
What Real-Life Improvement Looks Like
TMS results are often referred to by many individuals as the feeling of “waking up” after being emotionally numb for years. Some of the changes may be:
- Enhanced mood and motivation
- More deep sleep and increased energy
- Better concentration and focus
- Regained sense of connection with loved ones
These effects are the main reasons why so many people and providers consider TMS as a major turning point in depression treatment. While this is not a simple fix, being consistent with treatment can lead to lasting changes in brain functioning and help reduce depressive symptoms.
Long-Term Results
Another positive aspect about TMS is its strength over time. Many patients experience sustained improvement long after their treatment has ended, whether for months or even years. Some individuals opt to have “maintenance sessions” if they notice some symptoms starting to return to help keep the progress they have made. TMS is therefore not only a highly effective option, but it also facilitates ongoing mental wellness, without reliance on medication.
Finding the Right Provider
One of the most important decisions is selecting a clinic to get your TMS treatment. At MDDCare, our goal is to make the process easier to help you find reputable TMS providers in your area. Visit MDDCare.com today to find clinics that are dedicated to helping patients attain balance, stability, and hope.