Current research is pursuing the capacity of TMS therapy to treat a broad range of medical issues. It could provide patients with treatments that are quicker to apply, less invasive than other alternatives, and more effective overall.
Table of Contents
Schizophrenia
Disordered thinking, delusions, and hallucinations characterize this disorder. Studies indicate that TMS therapy can successfully reduce psychotic symptoms, such as the intensity of auditory hallucinations and negative thoughts – however, more research is needed to confirm this.
A comprehensive evaluation conducted in 2022 demonstrated that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was more effective than its sham counterparts for combating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The stimulation from TMS enhanced activity within the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), thus ultimately facilitating improvements in these conditions. This finding provides an avenue to explore further targeted applications of TMS, which could benefit many individuals suffering from mental health issues due to these disorders.
Migraines
Migraine refers to recurrent headaches, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Clinical trials of this therapy in 2017 meta-analysis have found that TMS effectively reduces the frequency and intensity of migraines. Research published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation shows that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can significantly reduce migraine severity, frequency, duration, and pain intensity. A 2021 study unveiled that when TMS is used prophylactically against migraines, it drastically decreases the occurrence rate.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that causes a progressive decline in cognitive functioning due to neuron death. In 2014, early research suggested that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) could bolster cognitive performance hampered by the illness. Subsequently, in 2020 a literature review found evidence of TMS improving various mental processes and functions connected with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s; however, researchers have not been able to assess if these effects persist as the condition progresses.
Bipolar Disorder
It can be distressing to suffer from bipolar disorder, characterized by depressive and manic episodes. Researchers have conducted studies on the effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a therapy for Bipolar Disorder, and the results are encouraging. Gold et al.’s 2019 review of clinical trials highlights that, even though researchers have primarily focused on TMS’ ability to treat bipolar depression, it appears to bring about manic switching similar to antidepressant medications. In 2020, a literature review dug further into the subject and suggested that TMS may successfully reduce both depressive and manic symptoms associated with bipolar disorder; however, an affective switch remains a risk factor, so more evidence is necessary before affirming its efficacy for this condition.
Smoking Cessation
The FDA has recently authorized particular TMS treatments for smoking cessation, better known as ‘quitting tobacco altogether.’ In 2020 a breakthrough study uncovered that just one session of TMS reduced cue-induced cravings – as shown in a double-blind, randomized control trial because active treatment more than doubled the quit rate and significantly diminished both cigarette craving and overall consumption. This incredible development symbolizes an indispensable milestone in utilizing TMS to combat addiction.
It’s only a matter of time before most of these disorders become eligible for treatment through TMS therapies due to the recent advancements in this technology. As more research and clinical trials occur, TMS therapy’s future looks brighter every day; its potential is unlimited.
source: https://neurostimtms.com/the-future-of-tms-therapy/
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