St John of God Hospital has announced the introduction of Repetitive Transactional Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy, in an expansion of its treatment options for patients with depression. This non-invasive therapy offers a new option for patients who have not had sufficient success with conventional depression treatments. St John of God Hospital will be the first hospital to deliver this treatment for depression on a consultant-led basis.
rTMS is a modern treatment for depression that prioritises convenience, comfort, and safety while delivering significant benefits for those with treatment-resistant depression. rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions, promoting the brain’s ability to form new connections and regulate mood.
Around 21 million people in Europe, or 4.5 per cent of the population, experience depression, with higher rates in women (8.8 per cent) than men (5.3 per cent). In Ireland, 12 per cent of young people (15-to-24 years) report chronic depression, the highest rate in Europe.
rTMS is a consultant-led service that offers a unique combination of effectiveness, convenience and safety. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and requires no anaesthesia, meaning patients can drive, work, and resume daily activities immediately after their sessions. Its non-invasive nature makes it an attractive option for a wider range of individuals.
Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Neuromodulation Services Dr Simon Mitchell, who is one of the experts leading the roll-out at St John of God Hospital, commented on the announcement, saying: “The introduction of rTMS at St John of God Hospital represents significant advancement in our mental health services. This non-invasive treatment offers new hope to our patients who haven’t found relief through traditional methods. This expansion of our psychiatric services reflects St John of God Hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing the most advanced, evidence-based treatments to our patients.”
The effectiveness of rTMS treatment for depressive disorders and treatment-resistant depression has been firmly established in recent years. rTMS was approved for depression treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008, and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has also appraised the evidence of the treatment. Clinical studies have shown that approximately 50 per cent of patients experience significant symptom relief with rTMS treatment, with about one-third achieving remission from their depression symptoms.
The typical treatment course consists of daily sessions over four-to-six weeks, with each session lasting about 20-to-40 minutes.
