Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
09:30
Treating Clinical Depression with Repetitive Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using the Brainsway H1-coil
Published on: October 4, 2016
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Accelerated TMS with the H1-coil for depression: A multisite, randomized non-inferiority trial
Colleen A Hanlon1, Yiftach Roth2, Richard A Bermudes3
1BrainsWay USA, 405 Burlington, MA, 01803, USA; Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
Brain Stimulation
|March 4, 2026
Summary
Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (ACC-iTBS) using the H1 coil offers a faster, time-efficient treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to standard protocols. This TMS therapy provides comparable outcomes and quicker remission, making it a viable alternative.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with the H1 coil is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Standard TMS protocols involve daily sessions over six weeks.
- Accelerated TMS protocols aim to condense treatment duration by increasing session frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of an accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (ACC-iTBS) protocol with the standard high-frequency (SOC-HF) H1 coil TMS protocol.
- To determine if ACC-iTBS is non-inferior to SOC-HF in treating adults with moderate-to-severe MDD.
- To evaluate differences in symptom reduction, remission rates, anxiety levels, and adverse events between the two protocols.
Main Methods:
- A multisite, randomized, blinded non-inferiority trial involving 104 adults with moderate-to-severe MDD.
- Participants were randomized to either ACC-iTBS (5 sessions/day for 6 days, then 2 sessions/day weekly) or SOC-HF (once daily, then twice weekly).
- The primary endpoint was the change in HDRS-21 score at week 6; secondary outcomes included response, remission, and anxiety.
Main Results:
- Both ACC-iTBS and SOC-HF groups showed significant improvement in HDRS-21 scores at week 6, with no significant difference between groups.
- ACC-iTBS demonstrated faster symptom reduction by week 2 and a shorter time to remission (21 vs. 28 days).
- Week 6 response and remission rates were high in both groups (ACC-iTBS: 87.8%/78.0%; SOC-HF: 87.5%/87.5%). Adverse events were more frequent with ACC-iTBS.
Conclusions:
- ACC-iTBS using the H1 coil is a safe and effective alternative to standard HF H1-coil TMS for MDD treatment.
- The accelerated protocol is time-efficient, offering comparable clinical outcomes and faster remission.
- ACC-iTBS presents a well-tolerated option for patients seeking expedited TMS therapy for major depressive disorder.
