Why is TMS Treatment So Popular for Treating Depression?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS has been making headlines for decades now. The reasons why more people are seeking TMS treatment for depression and other conditions vary. The fact that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can deliver meaningful symptom relief without psychoactive medications is certainly toward the top of the list.
For people with depression that doesn’t respond well to pharmacological solutions, i.e. Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), TMS offers a way to attain real symptom relief and to make forward progress in their mental health treatment. TMS is also highly compatible with other depression treatments. This means people who find medication helpful can use TMS for depression in concert with SSRIs or SSRNIs to potentially achieve even better results.
What is SAINT TMS?
SAINT TMS is a more sophisticated TMS protocol approved by the FDA in 2022. Remarkably, this form of treatment has managed to surpass the already impressive track record for conventional TMS treatment for depression and other conditions like migraine headaches and even smoking cessation already had an impressive track record for delivering substantial symptom relief, even for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who did not find sufficient results with medications.
TMS is also popular because it provides results relatively quickly compared with other depression treatments and it is compatible with most other treatments, from medications to psychotherapy. This makes it a great option for people looking for either an alternative, drug-free way to treat depression or a way to boost their existing depression treatment. The SAINT TMS protocol is a newer, more effective method of delivering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment.
What Makes SAINT TMS Even More Effective Than Conventional TMS?
In simple terms, this treatment more effective at treating depression and other symptoms because of changes in how the treatment is delivered. One key innovation is that SAINT TMS uses advanced fMRI brain imaging to identify areas of the brain that are most likely to respond and deliver the desired results.
The SAINT TMS approach makes it possible to deliver TMS with greater precision and to tailor the treatment for each individual client. It uses more intense and concentrated magnetic pulses in focused areas applied in shorter sessions (about 10 minutes vs. 30-60 minutes for conventional TMS).
Three clinical trials to study SAINT TMS results in 2018, 2020, and 2021 delivered conclusive evidence that SAINT TMS was effective in relieving symptoms for most patients. 79% of participants in the 2021 trial achieved remission of their depression after only 5 days of therapy. This represents markedly improved results when compared to conventional TMS and in a shorter period of treatment.
Key Differences Between SAINT TMS vs. Regular TMS:
Treatment Intensity and Focus:
- Conventional TMS: Delivers magnetic pulses at a steady pace to stimulate brain activity.
- SAINT TMS: Uses a more intense and precisely targeted approach, delivering magnetic pulses in a more concentrated manner.
Duration of Treatment:
- Conventional TMS: Typically involves sessions lasting about 30-60 minutes, spread over 5-6 weeks.
- SAINT TMS: Consists of shorter sessions, around 10 minutes each, but with up to ten sessions per day over five consecutive days.
Personalization of Treatment:
- Conventional TMS: Follows a standard protocol that is similar for all patients.
- SAINT TMS: Supplements TMS treatment with brain imaging to determine the most effective areas to target.
Frequency of Sessions:
- Conventional TMS: Usually conducted once a day at most.
- SAINT TMS: Can involve multiple sessions in a single day, making it a more accelerated form of therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About SAINT TMS
Where Did SAINT TMS Get Its Name?
SAINT is an acronym that stands for Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy, which reveals the origins of this advanced TMS therapy technique. Developed at Stanford University, the primary motivation for the innovation of SAINT TMS was a desire to improve the efficacy of TMS for depression, and Treatment Resistant Depression in particular.
Is SAINT TMS Right for Me?
Clinical studies have shown SAINT TMS to be the most effective form of TMS therapy with 60-90% of participants achieving satisfactory results over time. The best way to determine if SAINT TMS is the right depression treatment for you or your loved one is to schedule a free consultation with BrainHealth Solutions. This will help us determine the best treatment options, and answer any questions you have about TMS and SAINT TMS so you can make an informed decision.
Where Can I Receive SAINT TMS Therapy in California?
BrainHealth Solutions offers SAINT TMS treatment for depression and other conditions at our clinical offices in Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, CA for your convenience. You are welcome to call us at 949-288-5377 or email us at [email protected] to schedule consultation and treatment at any of our locations — or simply ask questions. We’d love to hear from you.
SAINT TMS at BrainHealth Solutions in Costa Mesa, Riverside, and Surrounding Areas
BrainHealth Solutions offers SAINT TMS treatment for depression and more in Costa Mesa, Riverside, and surrounding areas in California. We have helped hundreds of people live better lives. We welcome the opportunity to help you as well. Reach out to us today at (949) 779-3587 to learn more about our treatment options or to book a consultation.
