OCD and rTMS
[vc_row row_scroll_icon="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Around seven out of 10 patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) will benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy in the form of exposure and response prevention, or medication, or a combination of the two treatments. However, if you do not experience symptom relief with these therapies, you may find Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to be more effective. rTMS uses magnetic stimulation to stimulate areas of the brain that regulate mood. Alternative treatments for OCD have, in the past, been limited. rTMS offers a viable alternative, does not require medication or surgery, and patients do not have to undergo downtime after treatment. rTMS is a groundbreaking new OCD treatment that has a high degree of success. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" css=".vc_custom_1500285514329{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][eltd_accordion style="toggle"][eltd_accordion_tab icon_pack="" title="What is obsessive compulsive disorder?"][vc_column_text] OCD is a mental health disorder that centers around obsessions (repeated thoughts, urges and/or worries) and compulsions (actions that are acted out in order to reduce anxiety caused by the obsession). OCD is often portrayed as a compulsion for cleaning objects or oneself, but this is a very simplified depiction of one common OCD-related compulsion. [/vc_column_text][/eltd_accordion_tab][eltd_accordion_tab icon_pack="" title="What are the existing treatments for OCD?"][vc_column_text] If you have OCD you may be able to adopt coping strategies, build a support network and manage your stress in order to alleviate the symptoms of OCD yourself. This can be accomplished alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), which involves being exposed to the anxiety-causing obsession and learning to control the need to act out the compulsion. Medication may also be offered alongside or instead of CBT. [/vc_column_text][/eltd_accordion_tab][eltd_accordion_tab icon_pack="" title="What is rTMS?"][vc_column_text] Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is used here at The London Psychiatry Centre to treat a number of mental health conditions, including OCD. It is a pain-free, non-invasive therapy that does not require the use of medication. rTMS produces highly successful results in the treatment of OCD, and is often undergone by patients who have had unsuccessful experiences with other treatments. [/vc_column_text][/eltd_accordion_tab][eltd_accordion_tab icon_pack="" title="What does rTMS involve?"][vc_column_text]You will undergo an initial assessment, during which the clinician can confirm the diagnosis of OCD. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the clinician will run through an rTMS safety checklist to gauge your suitability for the treatment. They will then explain to you the process of rTMS, before proceeding with treatment. You will sit comfortably in a chair with an rTMS device positioned on your head. The device uses a magnetic field which influences...
Depression Treatment With rTMS
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a cutting-edge, non-invasive depression treatment that has minimal side effects. It has achieved success where antidepressant drugs have failed....
What Happens During rTMS Treatment?
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment with The London Psychiatry Centre is as relaxed as possible. During treatment you will be comfortably seated in a chair with your head leaning back. A vacuum pillow is placed around your neck to support your head. You will be required to wear a personalised cotton cap during treatment. This allows us to ensure correct positioning of the coil, which will deliver the magnetic pulses. The treatment will be delivered using a magnetic coil. The coil is normally positioned on the left or right Dorso-Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (an area a few inches above the temple beneath the skull). You will be still for the duration of your treatment (approx 30 minutes). We will do everything we can to ensure our patients are at ease during the treatment. rTMS treatment is completely non-invasive and you won’t need to be sedated. Some patients do experience slight tingling sensations or headaches at the start of the treatment but your nurse will make sure you feel comfortable throughout the procedure. You will be able to go straight back to work after the treatment. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment is a cutting edge treatment, but the nature of this is that patients are sometimes wary. Research has shown that rTMS provides effective treatment for depression without the side effects normally experienced with traditional medication. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you have any questions about the rTMS procedure or would like to book in for a consultation, please call us now on 020 7580 4224.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...
How Much Does rTMS Cost?
Treatment for depression using rTMS is short but intense. You will have five sessions each week. The average treatment length is four to six weeks. Some patients have reported benefits from the first week. The cost of the initial assessment with the psychiatrist is £750 and rTMS is £2,000 per week. You will also require a review appointment with the rTMS consultant each week to re-prescribe your treatment and review your progress. Indeed, because of the cost of this state of the art equipment and the level of expertise involved, rTMS cannot be a ‘cheap’ treatment. But, when we consider the benefits, the cost pales in comparison. rTMS treatment for depression, anxiety, pain management of fibromyalgia, and tinnitus is available on a private basis at The London Psychiatry Centre without the need for referral or long waiting lists. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center" css=".vc_custom_1500370122595{margin-top: 20px !important;}" el_id="contact-text"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you would like to speak to us about how this cost is spread out over the course of your treatment, please call our team on 020 7580 4224.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...
What Are The Side Effects Of rTMS?
The side effects experienced from Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) are very minimal. rTMS is an effective depression treatment without the traditional side effects of medication. Short term side effects you may experience include headaches, tingling or discomfort at site of treatment and lightheadedness. Studies have shown that although long term negative side effects from rTMS are minimal, there is a very small risk of seizure with rTMS, however according to the University of Michigan, in 10,000 treatments there was not a single seizure episode recorded. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center" css=".vc_custom_1500370122595{margin-top: 20px !important;}" el_id="contact-text"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you would like more information on the side effects of rTMS or would like to book a consultation with one of our experts, please do call us on 020 7580 4224.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...
Is rTMS Safe?
Here at The London Psychiatry Centre we have an extensive body of knowledge covering thousands and thousands of patient examples. Numerous clinical trials, medical research studies and peer-reviewed articles have confirmed the value of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in treating treatment-resistant depression. You can rest assured that rTMS is regarded as a considerably safe treatment, with very low risk of side effects. Frequently, it works where other interventions have failed. rTMS treatment is completely non-invasive: it doesn’t require any needles or anaesthetic. Since the only thing entering your body is pure energy, rTMS is free from the many side effects associated with antidepressant medications (stomach complaints, lowered libido, etc.). It is administered as an outpatient procedure for just over half an hour per session. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you would like more information about rTMS or would like to speak to a member of our team about booking a consultation, please don’t hesitate to call us on 020 7580 4224.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...
What Is rTMS?
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an effective, drug-free, non-invasive treatment for depression which uses magnetic stimulation to stimulate areas of the brain that regulate mood. The human brain is inherently an electrical organ that functions through the transmission of electrical signals between nerve cells. rTMS treatment works with your body’s natural processes by simply increasing the number and frequency of such transmissions. rTMS employs magnetic energy to stimulate an area of the brain that regulates mood. As such, it can selectively alter activity in concentrated areas of the brain, bringing about desired effects that have been shown to be helpful in treating a variety of mental health problems. Research has shown that a large proportion of patients who were unresponsive to antidepressant medication experience a significant improvement in their depressive symptoms when treated with rTMS – one in three of these patients completely recovered. How Does Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Work? rTMS influences electrical brain activity through a pulsed magnetic field. This magnetic field is created by passing quick current pulses through a coil of wire. The coil of wire is encased in plastic and placed close to a client’s scalp in order for the magnetic field to be focused on particular areas of the brain. The magnetic field can safely penetrate the scalp and scull without pain, to create a current in targeted brain cells. Because this stimulation is given at regular intervals it is referred to as repetitive TMS, or rTMS....
rTMS And Pregnancy
It is estimated that over 10% of pregnant women are depressed at any given time. Depression during pregnancy is associated with poorer outcomes for the baby, such as premature birth, lower birth weight, and higher rates of postnatal complications. Maternal depression may also affect the bonding process between mother and baby after birth. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) states in its guidance on rTMS for the prevention of migraine that there is a role for this treatment in the reduction or avoidance of drug therapy in pregnancy. Avoiding the use of drugs in the treatment of depression in pregnancy is also desirable. Is rTMS Safe During Pregnancy? [embed width="425" height="239"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGi--tHJjc4[/embed] Video: Dr Rafael Euba talks about depression and pregnancy in this informative seminar presented at The Private Pregnancy UK Show 2016 in London. As no sedation or analgesia is required, rTMS offers a powerful treatment without exposing the foetus to the potentially harmful effects of drugs that cross the placenta during pregnancy, or contaminate the mother’s milk during the nursing period. There is limited experience of the use of rTMS in pregnancy. However, every report published so far in the medical literature clearly suggests that rTMS remains effective and safe during pregnancy. We have outlined just two studies below but all other published studies show positive outcomes: Ten depressed women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy were treated with 20 low frequency rTMS sessions. Seven of ten improved. No adverse pregnancy or foetal outcomes were observed. Kim et al, 2011. An Open Label Pilot Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Pregnant Women with Major Depressive Disorder JOURNAL OF WOMEN’S HEALTH 2011;20:255-261 Thirty depressed pregnant patients received high frequency rTMS for three weeks. The treatment was effective and well tolerated and no safety concerns were reported. Sayar et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation during pregnancy. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 2013; DOI:10.1007/s00737-013-0397-0 rTMS should be considered as an option for pregnant women who are depressed and who wish to avoid potentially harmful drugs during their pregnancy. The needs of each individual pregnant woman will need to be considered and an assessment of the potential benefits and risks of each specific intervention carried out, including psychotherapy. rTMS may also be an ideal treatment option for depression during the nursing period. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you are pregnant and would like to find out whether rTMS treatment is suitable for you, simply call us on 020 7580 4224 to speak...
Tinnitus Treatment With rTMS
The London Psychiatry Centre is the only clinic in the UK to offer rTMS to the public for the treatment of tinnitus. rTMS is proven to be an effective treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), which can be a very distressing condition. We’re pleased to report that a recent systematic review of every study conducted thus far in this area1 has concluded that rTMS has a positive effect on tinnitus. As a patient, you will initially be assessed by a trusted consultant ENT surgeon allied with the centre and then treated on our premises with magnetic stimulation protocol – especially developed for this condition. The stimulation protocol targets different areas of the brain that play a part in generating the tinnitus, using both inhibiting and stimulating magnetic frequencies. The London Psychiatry Centre is collaborating with Mr Anthony Aymat, ENT Consultant to provide the best level of care for our tinnitus patients. [vc_row row_scroll_icon="no" content_aligment="center"][vc_column][eltd_icon icon_pack="linear_icons" linear_icon="lnr-phone" size="eltd-icon-medium" type="normal" icon_animation=""][vc_column_text]If you are living with tinnitus and would like to find out more about how rTMS can help, or book a consultation, please do call us on 020 7580 4224 and a member of our team will be happy to answer your questions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] References: 1. Soleimani R et al. Therapeutic impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 May 13....
rTMS Treatment Results Comparison
The London Psychiatry Centre has a significantly higher success rate with rTMS treatments than other clinics. Two separate studies show our remission rate at 66% and 61%. This is double that of providers using dTMS and three times higher than the UK rTMS platinum standard where neuronavigation was used. The London Psychiatry Centre was the first private clinic in the UK that audited and published rTMS treatment results. Our clinic achieved a 61% peer reviewed remission rate over a sample of 150 patients. In a more recent, larger sample of 252 patients (the most patients treated with rTMS by any clinic in the UK), we maintained this high remission rate. For comparison: Of 44 centres in the US and Australia that have published rTMS treatment results for treatment-resistant depression, the remission rate is 29%. The remission rate for H-coil dTMS used by certain UK centres is 31%. Northampton NHS Trust reported a 20.8%1 remission rate using the same questionnaire as The London Psychiatry Centre (BDI-II). A recent study which analysed five private TMS providers and five teaching hospital NHS foundation trusts found that using neuronavigation, considered to be a state-of-the-art technology to refine rTMS and iTBS targeting, provided remission in only one-fifth (20%) of patients. In July 2020 we analysed a selection of 252 treatment resistant patients who had been unable to achieve satisfactory results with antidepressant medication. Our results showed that 61% of these patients achieved remission (full recovery) within six weeks. The majority of these patients had been well for between 1-12 months with maintenance rTMS treatment. 35%, did not respond to treatment, 3% experienced a 50% improvement in symptoms and 1% experienced a 75% improvement. There have been no side effects noted. In comparison, a study based on findings in a US academic medical centre published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry2, shows the effectiveness of rTMS in 100 individual cases with a remission rate (full recovery) at six weeks of 24.7%. Depression and Anxiety, The Official Journal of ADAA3, published that 42 separate clinical rTMS practice centres, including some Ivy League centres, were assessed with remission results ranging from 26.5-28.7%. In addition, a recent review of a TMS Centre in Australia4 showed a remission rate of 28%. In the UK, Northampton NHS Trust published their figures1 which showed a remission rate of 20.8% using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Some UK centres use different types of magnetic coil in their treatments, such...
