ate-life depression is a significant issue that affects many older adults, often leading to a diminished quality of life and exacerbating other health problems. While traditional treatments like medication and psychotherapy are beneficial, they are not always effective, particularly in severe or treatment-resistant cases. Neurostimulation modalities, including Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS), offer a promising alternative.
Understanding Deep TMS and Its Benefits
Deep TMS is an advanced form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation that uses BrainsWay’s unique, patented H-Coil technology. This technology is housed inside a cushioned helmet fitted onto the patient’s head. Upon activation, the H-coil produces magnetic pulses that regulate the brain’s neural activity, targeting deeper and broader brain areas involved in mood regulation.
Efficacy of Deep TMS
Open-label, naturalistic data assessed Deep TMS’s safety and efficacy in late-life depression in 247 patients aged 60-91 receiving 20 or more sessions. These patients had an average history of 8.5 depressive episodes and were on average taking 12 concomitant antidepressant medications.
Results showed that after 30 sessions, there was a response rate of 79.4% and a remission rate of 60.3% on the most-rated scale. The median onset of response was 14 sessions (20 days), and for remission, it was 15 sessions (23 days). Comparing these results with a recent large naturalistic study of Deep TMS in middle-aged adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the response rates, remission rates, and the median number of sessions/days required to reach response/remission were found to be comparable.
For more details, visit Brainsway’s article on Deep TMS.
Safety of Deep TMS
Deep TMS has not been shown to cause any systemic side effects. A 2007 study in Clinical Neurophysiology confirmed this, finding Deep TMS to be a well-tolerated treatment with no systemic side effects.
Individuals undergoing Deep TMS treatment may experience a slight discomfort during the procedure, with some reporting a tapping sensation in the area being treated. In the double-blind randomized controlled trial of 52 late-life depression patients, no serious adverse events were observed. The only side effect significantly more common in the active Deep TMS group than sham was pain (16.0% vs 0%). Additionally, 56% of patients receiving active Deep TMS treatment experienced headaches after treatment, though this was not significantly different from the sham treatment group (37%).
Treatment Protocol for Deep TMS
BrainsWay’s Deep TMS treatment sessions for depression last approximately 20 minutes. A typical Deep TMS treatment plan involves daily sessions over four weeks, followed by periodic maintenance sessions. The protocol is designed to ensure effective and sustained relief from depressive symptoms. The treatment process is divided into two phases:
This structured approach helps in achieving optimal results and maintaining long-term improvement in depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
Neurostimulation modalities, particularly Deep TMS, present a highly effective and safe treatment option for late-life depression. With BrainsWay’s advanced H-Coil technology, Deep TMS targets deeper brain areas, providing significant relief from depressive symptoms in older adults. The well-defined treatment protocol ensures sustained benefits with minimal side effects. Embracing innovative treatments like Deep TMS can greatly enhance the quality of life for elderly individuals struggling with depression.
For more information on how Deep TMS can help with late-life depression, visit Brainsway’s website.
