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. 2020 Jun;37(6):276-281.

A Clinical Program to Implement Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Whitney T Carrico  1 , Gerald Georgette  1 , Michelle R Madore  1 , F Andrew Kozel  1 , Mark S George  1 , Steven Lindley  1 , Steven Lovett  1 , Jong H Yoon  1 , Jerome A Yesavage  1
Affiliations

A Clinical Program to Implement Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Whitney T Carrico et al. Fed Pract. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses a device to create magnetic fields that cause electrical current to flow into targeted neurons in the brain. The most common clinical use of rTMS is for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The annual suicide rate of veterans has been higher than the national average; treating depression with rTMS would likely decrease suicide risk. MDD in many patients can be chronic and reoccurring with medication and psychotherapy providing inadequate relief.

Methods: A pilot program was created to supply rTMS devices to 35 different sites in the VA nationwide in order to treat treatment-resistant depression.

Conclusions: At time of analysis more than 950 veterans have started the program and 412 have finished. Nationwide, we have seen the depression scores decline, indicating an improvement in well-being. In addition, there is high patient satisfaction. Collecting data on a national level is a powerful way to examine rTMS efficacy and predictors of response which might be lost on a smaller subset of cases.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author disclosures The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
rTMS Machine and Chair
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Model Showing Coil in Place
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Pilot Program Sites
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Posttreatment Patient Satisfaction Survey
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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