By 121 News
Chandigarh 03rd August:- The Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh is glad to announce the availability of the latest treatment modality of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). This facility is available in the premises of the Outpatient service of the Department of Psychiatry (Psychiatry OPD). The Department of Psychiatry, PGI is the first treatment facility in public sector, north of the national capital, which is offering this facility for patient care.
rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that relies on the generation of brief magnetic fields using an insulated coil placed over the scalp. These magnetic fields are the same type and strength as those used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. The magnetic pulses generate a weak electrical current in the brain that briefly activates neural circuits at the stimulation site. This treatment does not involve any medications, injections or any other preparation other than certain precautions.
rTMS has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure that can be an effective treatment for adult patients with a variety of disorders especially depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that has not benefitted from usual treatment modalities. In fact, based upon rigorous clinical research, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved the use of rTMS in patients with depression who have failed to respond to medications. In addition the US FDA has also approved the use of rTMS in migraine. There also various other potential research applications in other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
rTMS involves a series of treatment sessions which are usually delivered 5-6 times/week. Each session lasts for a few minutes to half an hour and the total duration of treatment can last from 2-4 weeks. The number of treatment sessions depends on the psychiatric condition, response to treatment, and the medical judgment of the psychiatrist. The more common possible side-effects include mild, transient headache and a tapping sensation on the scalp while the treatment session is underway. Epileptic seizures are very rare. However, patients with known epilepsy should inform the clinician first. There are no known long-term side effects of this treatment modality.
rTMS is potentially useful for all adults with the possible exception of those with non-removable magnetic-sensitive metal in their head or within twelve inches of the magnetic coil. This would include patients with Aneurysm clips or coils, Stents in neck or brain, Cardiac pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac stents, and metallic implants in ears. rTMS can be safely administered in those patients who are on other medications.
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