Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) It is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It has been the subject of extensive research and clinical trials, and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric conditions. In this article, we will explore some of the recent research supporting the effectiveness of TMS in the treatment of different disorders, such as depression, chronic pain, movement disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
TMS in the treatment of depression
The depression It is a common disorder that affects millions of people around the world. TMS has been investigated as a tool to treat depression and has been shown to be effective in several clinical trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis study of 29 randomized controlled clinical trials found that TMS is effective in the treatment of depression, with a response rate of 30-40% and a remission rate of 20-30% (Berlim et al., 2013).
TMS in the treatment of chronic pain
He chronic pain It is another common disorder that can be debilitating and difficult to treat. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial found that TMS can significantly reduce pain in patients with chronic pain (Lefaucheur et al., 2011).
TMS in the treatment of movement disorders
TMS has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of movement disorders such as essential tremor and dystonia. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial found that TMS significantly reduced tremor in patients with essential tremor (Khedr et al., 2003).
TMS in the treatment of OCD
He OCD It is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. TMS has been investigated as a tool for the treatment of OCD and has been shown to be effective in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with a significant reduction in obsessive and compulsive symptoms (Mantovani et al., 2013).
TMS in improving cognitive performance
In addition to its use in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, TMS has also been investigated as a tool to improve the cognitive performance. One study found that TMS improved working memory and sustained attention in healthy individuals (Zaehle et al., 2011).
Conclusion
In summary, the EMT It is a non-invasive and safe technique that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of different neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, chronic pain, movement disorders and OCD. In addition, it has also been shown to be a useful tool to improve cognitive performance. Although TMS continues to be the subject of research and development, its results are encouraging and suggest that TMS could be an effective alternative to other conventional treatments.
However, it is important to note that TMS is not a risk-free technique, and its use should be guided by trained and licensed professionals. There is a need to continue investigating the long-term effects of TMS and its potential use in other conditions, as well as exploring new applications of this promising technique.
Bibliographic references
- Berlim, M.T., Van den Eynde, F., & Daskalakis, Z.J. (2013). Clinical utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of anxiety disorders: review. Psychiatry research, 210(3), 363-367.
- Lefaucheur, JP, André-Obadia, N., Antal, A., Ayache, SS, Baeken, C., Benninger, DH, … & Garcia-Larrea, L. (2014). Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Clinical neurophysiology, 125(11), 2150-2206.
- Khedr, E.M., Rothwell, JC, Ahmed, M.A., Shawky, O.A., & Farouk, M. (2003). Effect of daily repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor performance in Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders: Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 18(3), 231-234.
- Mantovani, A., Simpson, HB, Fallon, BA, Rossi, S., & Lisanby, SH (2013). Randomized sham-controlled trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 16(10), 2165-2175.
- Zaehle, T., Sandmann, P., Thorne, J.D., Jäncke, L., & Herrmann, CS (2011). Transcranial direct current stimulation of the prefrontal cortex modulates working memory performance: combined behavioral and electrophysiological evidence. BMC neuroscience, 12(1), 1-11.
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