Residential Therapy With Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Combat-Related PTSD

Does adding navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to an intensive residential program for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) improve outcomes?In this randomized clinical trial enrolling 119 military personnel and veterans, active navigated TMS provided greater reduction of PTSD symptoms during treatment and longer remissions than sham when added to trauma-focused prolonged exposure and cognitive behavioral treatments in an intensive residential setting. Clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were achieved by 85% of active TMS vs 59% of sham recipients at 1-month follow-up.These findings suggest that navigated TMS can be an efficacious addition to behavioral therapy for combat-related PTSD.

Corresponding Author: Peter T. Fox, MD, Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229 (fox@uthscsa.edu).

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