[City, State] – [Date] – Contemporary Care reports continued success treating depression with transcranial magnetic stimulation, offering hope to patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments. The practice, led by TMS pioneer Dr. Tarique Perera, has treated thousands of patients with this FDA-approved brain stimulation therapy.

Leading TMS Provider Shares Treatment Insights

Dr. Perera founded Contemporary Care to provide both traditional and innovative depression treatments under one roof. As founding president of the Clinical TMS Society and first author of the TMS Guidelines published in 2016, his expertise has changed the way clinicians worldwide implement this treatment.

TMS is a breakthrough for treatment-resistant depression. Contemporary Care has built one of the largest TMS programs in the United States, treating patients across nine states. This volume of experience provides insights into which patients respond best, optimal treatment protocols, and how to integrate TMS with ongoing medication and therapy.

TMS Treatment

Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in brain regions controlling mood. The technology targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area showing reduced activity in depression. Repeated stimulation helps normalize brain function and improve depressive symptoms.

The procedure requires no anesthesia or sedation. Patients remain fully awake during treatments, which last about 20 minutes. The magnetic coil placed against the scalp delivers rapid pulses that feel like tapping. Most people tolerate the sensation well, with only mild scalp discomfort being common.

Standard TMS protocols involve daily treatments five days weekly for four to six weeks. This intensive schedule requires significant time commitment but produces meaningful improvements for many patients. Contemporary Care offers flexible scheduling to accommodate work and other responsibilities.

The most common side effect involves scalp discomfort at the treatment site, typically mild and decreasing after the first week. Headaches occur occasionally. Serious side effects remain rare, with seizure risk being extremely low. TMS doesn’t cause the cognitive side effects associated with electroconvulsive therapy or the weight gain and sexual dysfunction common with medications.

Who Benefits from TMS Treatment

TMS received FDA approval for major depressive disorder in patients who haven’t responded to at least one antidepressant trial. Contemporary Care typically treats patients who’ve failed two or more medications, though exact criteria vary by insurance coverage.

Research shows about 50 to 60 percent of patients experience significant improvement with TMS, with about one-third achieving full remission. These response rates compare favorably to trying additional medications after multiple failures, where success rates decrease with each subsequent trial.

Certain patient groups particularly benefit from TMS. People who can’t tolerate medication side effects find TMS offers treatment without systemic effects. Those wanting to avoid adding more medications due to medical conditions or drug interactions can use TMS as an alternative. Pregnant women seeking depression treatment without medication exposure represent another group where TMS provides a safe option.

Age doesn’t limit TMS effectiveness. Contemporary Care treats both young adults and older patients with similar success rates. The non-invasive nature and lack of cognitive side effects make TMS suitable for older adults concerned about medication effects on memory or thinking.

The Contemporary Care TMS Protocol

Initial TMS consultations assess if patients meet treatment criteria. Clinicians review depression history, previous treatments tried, current medications, and any medical conditions affecting TMS safety. Patients learn what to expect during treatment and how TMS fits into their overall treatment plan.

Motor threshold testing occurs during the first session, determining stimulation intensity needed for each patient. This personalized approach optimizes treatment effectiveness while minimizing discomfort. The testing takes about 15 minutes before beginning the actual treatment protocol.

Treatment sessions become part of patients’ daily routines. Many people schedule sessions before work or during lunch breaks. The lack of sedation means patients drive themselves and resume normal activities immediately after sessions. This convenience contrasts with ECT, which requires anesthesia and produces temporary confusion.

Contemporary Care monitors progress throughout treatment using standardized depression rating scales. Clinicians track symptom changes week by week, allowing early identification of responders and non-responders. This monitoring informs decisions about continuing treatment or adjusting parameters.

Combining TMS with Other Treatments

Most patients continue their medications during TMS treatment. Research indicates that combining TMS with antidepressants may produce better outcomes than either alone. Contemporary Care’s psychiatrists adjust medications as needed based on TMS response.

Psychotherapy continues alongside TMS for most patients. As depressive symptoms improve with TMS, patients often engage more effectively in therapy. The combination addresses different aspects of depression, with TMS helping brain chemistry while therapy develops coping skills and addresses life circumstances.

For patients on multiple medications, TMS sometimes allows dose reductions or eliminating certain medications. Some people successfully discontinue medications that weren’t providing significant benefit, simplifying their regimens while maintaining improvement from TMS.

Treatment Resistant Depression Success

Contemporary Care specializes in treatment-resistant depression, seeing many patients who’ve failed numerous medication trials. Some have tried five or more antidepressants plus various augmentation strategies without sufficient improvement. For these patients, TMS offers new hope.

Case examples from Contemporary Care demonstrate TMS’s capability. Patients who couldn’t work due to severe depression have returned to careers. Those who’d withdrawn from relationships reconnect with family and friends. People who’d stopped activities they once enjoyed rediscovered pleasure in hobbies and interests.

Maintenance TMS Treatment

After completing the initial TMS course, most patients maintain improvement for months. However, depression can return, requiring maintenance treatment. Contemporary Care offers maintenance TMS sessions scheduled weekly, biweekly, or monthly based on individual needs.

Maintenance protocols vary by patient. Some people need only occasional sessions to maintain remission. Others require more frequent treatments. Monitoring symptoms helps determine optimal maintenance schedules.

Insurance coverage for maintenance TMS varies. Contemporary Care works with insurers to obtain authorization for ongoing treatment when clinically indicated. Out-of-pocket costs for maintenance treatment remain lower than initial courses due to less frequent sessions.

Research & Innovation

Dr. Perera’s involvement in TMS research continues through Contemporary Care. The practice tracks treatment outcomes, contributing data to knowing which protocols work best. This commitment to evidence-based care ensures patients receive optimized treatment.

New TMS technologies and protocols emerge regularly. Contemporary Care stays current with innovations, implementing advances as evidence supports their effectiveness. The practice has incorporated theta burst stimulation, a shorter TMS protocol requiring only three to ten minutes per session, for appropriate patients.

Dr. Perera’s role founding the Clinical TMS Society advanced TMS therapy globally. The guidelines he helped author standardized treatment protocols, ensuring quality care across providers. His ongoing involvement keeps Contemporary Care at the forefront of TMS treatment development.

Accelerated TMS Protocols

Contemporary Care offers accelerated TMS protocols for patients needing more rapid improvement. These intensive programs deliver multiple sessions daily, completing treatment in one to two weeks rather than four to six weeks.

Accelerated protocols suit people with severe depression requiring urgent intervention, those unable to commit to six weeks of daily treatments due to work or travel constraints, or patients preferring faster treatment completion. The condensed timeframe produces comparable outcomes to standard protocols for many patients.

Insurance coverage for accelerated TMS varies, with some carriers approving these protocols while others don’t. Contemporary Care assists with obtaining authorization and explains costs before beginning treatment.

Safety Record & Monitoring

TMS has an excellent safety record established over two decades of clinical use. Contemporary Care has treated thousands of patients without serious adverse events. The practice follows strict safety protocols, screening for contraindications and monitoring patients throughout treatment.

Certain conditions preclude TMS treatment. Metal implants in the head, pacemakers, and history of seizures require careful evaluation. Contemporary Care’s clinicians assess these factors during initial consultations, ensuring treatment safety.

Ongoing monitoring during treatment sessions allows immediate response to any concerns. Trained technicians administer treatments under psychiatrist supervision. Patients receive contact information for reaching staff between sessions if questions arise.

Patient Education & Support

Contemporary Care provides thorough education about TMS treatment before starting. Patients receive written materials explaining the procedure, what to expect, and how to maximize treatment success. Staff answer questions throughout the process, ensuring patients feel informed and comfortable.

Support continues during the treatment course. Clinicians check in regularly about symptom changes, side effects, and how treatment affects daily functioning. This ongoing contact allows addressing concerns promptly and adjusting approaches when needed.

Family involvement helps treatment success. Contemporary Care encourages patients to bring family members to initial consultations. Explaining treatment to loved ones builds support systems and helps families understand what patients experience during TMS.

Insurance Coverage & Access

Most major insurance carriers cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression. Prior authorization requirements vary by insurer. Contemporary Care’s experienced staff handle authorization processes, submitting necessary documentation and communicating with insurers.

Out-of-pocket costs depend on individual insurance plans. Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance apply. The practice provides cost estimates after insurance verification, allowing patients to plan financially. Payment plans make treatment accessible when costs present challenges.

Telehealth consultations facilitate access for patients living at a distance from Contemporary Care locations. While treatments themselves require in-person visits, medication management and therapy appointments occur via video, reducing travel for ongoing care.

Geographic Reach

Contemporary Care operates locations in Connecticut, New York, and Florida, with TMS available at multiple sites. The practice continues expanding to serve more patients across the nine states where it’s licensed.

Patients sometimes travel to Contemporary Care specifically for TMS treatment, completing the initial course before returning home for maintenance care with local providers. The practice coordinates transitions, ensuring continuity of care.

Long-Term Outcomes

Follow-up studies show that many TMS responders maintain improvement long-term. Some patients remain well with only maintenance sessions. Others combine maintenance TMS with medication adjustments or therapy to sustain benefits.

Contemporary Care tracks long-term outcomes, following patients months and years after initial treatment. This data informs knowledge of how to maintain TMS benefits and when additional interventions help.

Relapse can occur but doesn’t mean TMS stops working. Most patients who relapse respond well to repeat TMS courses. Contemporary Care makes returning for additional treatment straightforward, with abbreviated evaluation processes for established patients.

Commitment to Excellence

Contemporary Care’s volume of TMS treatments provides insights unavailable to practices doing smaller numbers of cases. This experience helps predict who will respond, troubleshoot when initial protocols don’t work, and optimize outcomes through treatment customization.

The practice continues advancing TMS therapy through ongoing training, outcome monitoring, and implementation of emerging protocols. Contemporary Care’s dedication to excellence ensures patients receive optimal care based on the latest research and clinical expertise.

Moving Forward

TMS therapy has moved from experimental treatment to established options for treatment-resistant depression. Contemporary Care’s role pioneering and advancing this therapy positions the practice as a leader in helping patients overcome depression when traditional treatments fall short.

Patients interested in learning more about TMS treatment at Contemporary Care can visit contemporarycare.com or call to schedule consultations. The practice sees patients across nine states, offering both in-person and telehealth services for depression care.

Website: https://contemporarycare.com/

Address: 84 Hospital Ave, Danbury, CT 06810

Contact: 8005045185