Deep TMS vs. rTMS – Does it Matter?
Since being approved by the FDA for depression treatment in 2008, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has proven to be highly effective as an alternative to traditional treatments such as antidepressants or even electroconvulsive therapy, offering a revolutionary option for individuals seeking relief from the stubborn grip of depression.
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TMS is a rapidly evolving field of mental health care, with new research producing improved TMS device designs and delivery methodology. Two distinct forms of TMS have become prominent, causing many patients to wonder which is the best option for them: Deep TMS or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)? Read on to learn more about the advantages of Brainsway Deep TMS, brought to you by the experts at Brighter Day TMS!
What is Deep TMS?
Harnessing magnetic fields to enhance activity in brain regions linked to mood regulation, TMS is a non-invasive treatment option for patients who have struggled to find success with other depression treatments. The process involves placing an electromagnetic coil against the scalp, typically near the forehead, and delivering magnetic pulses to targeted brain regions. Over time, these pulses (commonly referred to as repetitive TMS or rTMS due to their repetition) can repair neural pathways within the brain, leaving a positive impact on the patient’s mood and alleviating depressive symptoms.
Currently, there are two primary forms of TMS therapy publicly available for mental health treatment: traditional rTMS and the more sophisticated Deep TMS.
Deep TMS is similar to rTMS in that both involve magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the brain. The advantages of Brainsway Deep TMS lie in the delivery of these pulses through specialized coils capable of penetrating deeper and more effectively.
Deep TMS vs. Traditional TMS
The major difference between rTMS and Deep TMS is the type of electromagnetic coil used in the TMS device. Where rTMS uses a figure-8 coil, Deep TMS uses an H1 coil. This difference in coil design creates several benefits for Deep TMS patients:
Treatment Precision
While both forms of TMS are effective in treating depression, the figure-8 coil has some limitations in precision consistency while targeting areas of the brain for treatment. rTMS stimulates a smaller area than Deep TMS, presenting difficulty in ensuring the same area of the brain is targeted the same at every treatment session.
Deep TMS, on the other hand, stimulates both a broader area and a deeper area of the brain, ensuring you are always hitting the targeted region of the brain. The design of the H1 coil helps ensure a more consistent treatment across TMS sessions. This heightened precision not only maximizes successful results but also allows the treatment to be tailored to the patient’s unique needs when treating multiple conditions concurrently.
Depth of Stimulation
rTMS focuses primarily on the surface areas of the brain. Magnetic pulses are delivered through the figure-8 coil of the helmet, reaching neural circuits closer to the brain’s exterior. While this surface-level stimulation can yield positive results, it may be inherently limited in accessing deeper regions.
Brainsway’s Deep TMS surpasses these limitations. Utilizing the innovative H1 coil, Deep TMS is able to penetrate deeper into brain tissue than is possible with rTMS. This increased depth produces better results, directly reaching areas closely linked with mood regulation and contributing to longer-lasting improvements in depressive symptoms.
Ultimate Comfort
While rTMS itself is known for being well tolerated in comparison to more invasive depression treatments, the advantages of Brainsway Deep TMS once again outdo its predecessor. Meticulously crafted with patient well-being at its core, the technology minimizes discomfort and side effects, rendering the treatment significantly more tolerable than traditional rTMS.
Clinical Evidence
BrainsWay Deep TMS is the most advanced TMS technology available. In a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of the figure-8 coil with the H1 coil in treating major depressive disorder, results showed that Deep TMS had a higher response rate and a greater drop in severity of depression among patients treated compared to rTMS treatment.
How to Know Which Option Is Best for You
In determining whether Deep TMS or rTMS is the best option for your treatment, consulting with a mental health professional, such as the experienced team at Brighter Day TMS, can provide valuable insights. Our personalized assessments and consultations can help guide you toward the most suitable approach, ensuring that your treatment aligns seamlessly with your unique needs and therapeutic goals. Our team are experts at treating depression, and can assist in providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Why Choose Brighter Day TMS?
Choosing the right TMS provider is a critical step on the path to a healthy mental state. At Brighter Day TMS, we understand the importance of choosing the right treatment option to find relief from depression. We use Deep TMS treatment as our primary depression treatment because it has proven itself in clinical research and in our own patient results.
As the only local clinic in Fort Collins to offer Brainsway Deep TMS for our patients, we’re proud to stand as a beacon of hope for those struggling to overcome depression. With our commitment to evidence-based, cutting-edge solutions such as Deep TMS, we are here to guide you through a personalized approach to mental wellness. If you are suffering from depression, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to see if Deep TMS is right for you.