Using magnetic fields in order to stimulate specific regions of the brain may be able to help alleviate depression in some people who have not experienced adequate results from using antidepressants, new research has found.
Researchers administered magnetic therapy to half of a group of 190 adults who had experienced depression for a period of at least three months, but less than five years, and who had taken prescribed medicine for their depression, but did not experience sufficient, positive results. The other half of the study group was given a placebo treatment - simulated magnetic therapy that was not distinguishable from the actual therapy, the researchers said.
After three weeks, about 14% of the patients in the group who were receiving actual magnetic therapy reported that they were no longer experiencing depression, compared with only 5% of those who were receiving the fake treatment.
The researchers continued applying the magnetic treatment for three additional weeks for those who continued to remained depressed, and offered the real treatment to the participants who'd received the placebo treatment. After that additional three week period, about 30% reported that they were no longer experiencing depression, according to the researchers.
"We have settled a fundamental question about (TMS) therapy, which is, 'Does it work?'" said the lead author of the study, Dr. Mark George, a professor of psychiatry, radiology and neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina. "The answer is 'yes.'"
"In a rigorous, industry-free multi-site trial, with a convincing sham, we found unambiguously that TMS worked better than the sham. It's watershed," George stated.
The findings of the study are published in the May issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Labels: Mood-Related Problems and Disorders, Scientific Research and Studies, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
