Researchers at UT Health San Antonio reported breakthrough findings in treating combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with psychotherapy. An advanced version of the procedure, which uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells, was significantly effective for 85% of active military and veterans with combat PTSD enrolled in a recent study.
The randomized clinical trial involved 119 active-duty military and veteran participants with combat PTSD—92% with severe or extremely severe conditions—during a 30-day residential program at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in San Antonio. One group received navigated TMS for 20 consecutive days in addition to intensive psychotherapy, while the other received a sham version of the procedure. One month after treatment completion, 85% of those receiving active TMS showed significant symptom relief compared to less than 60% in the sham group. At three-month follow-up, 73% in the active TMS group still showed clinically significant improvement compared to less than 30% in the sham group.
The study used an MRI-guided, robotic-controlled form of TMS developed by UT Health San Antonio researchers that guides the placement of the TMS device to the exact spot that should be targeted based on the person’s unique anatomy and brain structure. This is the first known report of a registered clinical trial using image-guided, robotic delivery of TMS for any disorder. PTSD is a debilitating disorder afflicting between 4% to 17% of nearly 3 million U.S. military personnel who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan alone, amounting to roughly 500,000 affected individuals.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open on April 7. While TMS is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is not yet approved for PTSD. The researchers see strong potential for similar success with other protocols combining TMS with other cognitive-behavioral therapies and in settings that do not require hospitalization.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ut-health-san-antonio-researchers-report-breakthrough-findings-significantly-reducing-symptoms-for-combat-ptsd-victims-302735843.html