Residential Therapy With Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Combat-Related PTSD: A Randomized Clinical...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires improved treatment options.
• Intensive residential therapy is a standard care approach for military personnel with PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an adjunct to intensive residential therapy for combat-related PTSD.
• To assess the impact of navigated TMS on PTSD symptom severity and depression.

Main Methods:

• A 1:1 randomized clinical trial involving 119 military personnel with PTSD.
• Participants received either standard intensive residential treatment plus active navigated TMS or sham TMS.
• Treatment involved daily navigated TMS for up to 20 sessions, with assessments at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 1- and 3-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Active navigated TMS significantly improved PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5 and CAPS-5 scores) compared to sham TMS at the end of treatment.
• The benefits of active navigated TMS on PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) and depression (PHQ-9) were durable at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.
• Reliable change indices indicated superior durability of symptom relief with active TMS for PCL-5 scores at 1 month.

Conclusions:

• Navigated TMS, when added to intensive residential treatment, is an efficacious intervention for combat-related PTSD.
• This study suggests that navigated TMS neuromodulation can effectively reduce PTSD symptoms in military personnel.
• The findings support the use of navigated TMS as a valuable therapeutic option for individuals with severe combat-related PTSD.