Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (aTMS) Therapy

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Sam Clinch, MD

Nov 23, 2021

Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (aTMS) Therapy

Sam Clinch, MD

Nov 23, 2021

Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (aTMS) Therapy

Sam Clinch, MD

Nov 23, 2021

A Faster and More Efficient Treatment Option

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a groundbreaking treatment option for the millions of individuals suffering from severe and treatment resistant major depression. The original experimental treatment protocol was termed “SAINT”--Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy. SAINT described a type of accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS). The SAINT protocol utilized (1) a more efficient form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) known as intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), (2) individualized treatment locations based on a patient's specific functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI), (3) a higher pulse dose per treatment session (1,800 compared to the standard 600 pulses), (4) a total of 50 treatment sessions spread over just 5 days (standard rTMS typically involves 36 treatments over 9 weeks). The parameters of the SAINT protocol were based on findings from past research studies, but none had utilized all of these treatment parameters at once. The SAINT protocol resulted in unprecedented response and remission rates (90.4%), but did not include a sham arm.

The work was duplicated more recently in a larger sample size and with a sham control group - this time described as “Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy” (SNT). Parameters were the same for both studies. The results were, again, quite remarkable. The study saw a mean reduction on depression screening scales of 52.5% to 70.9% at different points throughout a 4-week follow-up. Twelve participants in the active SNT group met response criterion (85.7%), and 11 participants met remission criterion (78.6%), which was significantly higher than in the sham control group where only 4 participants responded (26.7%) and 2 remitted (13.3%).

So, what does this mean for TMS treatment today?

Recent research on accelerated TMS has shown the possibility for a rapid acting treatment for depression and suicidal thinking. The video here (A promising new treatment for depression) shows the real life results that the SAINT/SNT protocol has had on 2 of the study’s participants.

Inspire TMS Denver's Accelerated TMS waiting room
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At Inspire TMS Denver, we do not offer fcMRI that was utilized in the SAINT trial, but do offer a similar accelerated TMS protocol for patients that are searching for fast results. As this is not FDA approved, treatment is not covered by insurance, but we offer sliding scale rates for accelerated TMS and have a waiting room dedicated to the 50 minute intersession intervals between each treatment. The room is equipped with comfortable seating for rest and relaxation, a desk and chair for working, and a television with streaming services for entertainment. As always, our office provides complimentary WiFi, water, and coffee that patients may partake of while waiting for treatments. Patients also have the option to leave the office for those 50 minutes if they are interested in grabbing a bite to eat or checking out the area around the office.

Questions about accelerated TMS? Please check out our accelerated TMS page, call us at 720-740-0305, or schedule directly online.

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Inspire TMS Denver Clinic Results- Anxiety and PTSD

By AnnaMarie Miller and Sam Clinch, MD • 11 Mar, 2024

83% of our patients treated with TMS have achieved a GAD-7 score of less than 10, which indicates mild to no symptoms of anxiety. 87% of our patients treated with TMS finish treatment with a score below the PTSD threshold on the PCL-5.

TMS for OCD

By Laura Bauer and Samuel Clinch. MD • 21 Feb, 2024

Here at Inspire TMS Denver, we are excited to announce that we have added MagVenture’s Cool D-B80 OCD coil and are now offering TMS for OCD. Since TMS for OCD was only recently FDA-approved, Cigna is the only insurer here in CO currently covering TMS for OCD, but we also offer self-pay rates. If you are interested in OCD treatment or have any questions, please reach out. We would love to chat with you!

Inspire TMS Denver Clinic Results- Depression

By Anna Marie Miller and Sam Clinch, MD • 21 Feb, 2024

76% of our patients have achieved a PHQ-9 score of less than 10, which indicates mild to no depressive symptoms.

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Online Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) Test

By Sam Clinch • 30 Jan, 2024

If you have concerns or identify with many of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is important to book an appointment with your primary care doctor or a mental health provider. In the meantime, this test is not a diagnostic tool, but a high score may indicate a disposition for PTSD. As this article demonstrates, PTSD is a common mental health disorder. There are treatments available to successfully manage symptoms of PTSD, including TMS therapy. Take the quiz below to see if PTSD might be present for you.

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Online Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test

By Sam Clinch • 04 Jan, 2024

If you have concerns or identify with many of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is important to book an appointment with your primary care doctor or a mental health provider. In the meantime, this test is not a diagnostic tool, but a high score may indicate a disposition for OCD. As this article demonstrates, OCD is a common mental health disorder. There are treatments available to successfully manage symptoms of OCD, including TMS therapy . Take the quiz below to see if OCD might be present for you.

Biploar Depression Test

By Sam Clinch • 31 Jul, 2023

If you have concerns or identify with many of the symptoms, it is important to book an appointment with your primary care doctor or a mental health provider. In the meantime, this test is not a diagnostic tool, but a high score may indicate a chance for Bipolar. As this article demonstrates, Bipolar is a common mental health disorder. There are treatments available to successfully manage symptoms of Bipolar, including TMS therapy. Take the quiz below to see if Bipolar might be present for you.

TMS Therapy Side Effects | Facts Vs Myths [2024]

By Sam Clinch • 26 Jan, 2023

FACT – There are side effects with TMS, but they are overwhelmingly insignificant for most, typically mild, and do not impact every patient. TMS therapy is cleared by the FDA, as safe and efficacious, for severe and treatment-resistant depression. Patients experiencing depression and considering TMS have often been prescribed a variety of antidepressants, many of which can cause significant side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, changes to sleep patterns, nausea, and headaches.

12 Questions You Might Not Think to Ask About TMS Therapy

12 Important Questions You Might Not Think to Ask About TMS Therapy

By Sam Clinch, MD. • 12 Oct, 2022

Living with a mental illness is hard, and sometimes, finding the right treatment for your mental illness can be even harder. Before trying something new for any kind of problem or illness, you’ll want to do your research. Unfortunately, finding information, and even just knowing what questions to ask, isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of questions that we feel are often overlooked but incredibly important when making a decision about TMS treatment. If you have a question, but you don’t see it addressed in this post, check out our FAQ page for some of the most frequently asked questions about TMS.

Why We Use MagVenture TMS Systems

By Sam Clinch, MD. • 05 Aug, 2022

Choosing which TMS system to use for our practice was a big decision. When selecting which system to go with, it was important for us to choose a system that would deliver the best treatment outcomes and overall experience for our patients.

TMS for PTSD

By Sam Clinch, MD. • 04 Jul, 2022

As we celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4th, we must also take time to recognize those who fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom, to acknowledge the sacrifices they have made, and oftentimes, the trauma they have endured as a result.

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