NeuroStar Advanced Therapy, which has been used to treat over 115,000 patients with depression, is a non-drug treatment that was cleared by the FDA in 2008 to help people fight depression.
NeuroStar® delivers TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), a non-invasive therapy that uses targeted pulses to help “jumpstart” areas of the brain that have been shown to be underactive in people with depression.
Who is a good candidate for NeuroStar?
People suffering from depression who have already tried medications that didn’t deliver the desired results are often able to benefit from NeuroStar treatment.
What can a patient expect during a NeuroStar treatment?
NeuroStar treatments take place in a doctor’s office on an outpatient basis. There is no anesthesia or sedation. Patients are fully alert during treatment and can resume normal activities immediately after a treatment session.
Before treatment begins, a small magnetic coil is positioned lightly on the patient’s head. During treatment, patients recline comfortably in a treatment chair and are able to watch TV, read or chat with the treatment provider.
NeuroStar treatment is delivered five days a week for four to six weeks, with each treatment lasting between 19-37 minutes. After the second or third week, patients may begin to notice a decrease in depression symptoms.
How does NeuroStar work?
NeuroStar uses precise, targeted magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood. These treatments can have a lasting effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels and—because NeuroStar is a non-drug therapy—it doesn’t cause the side effects that are often associated with antidepressants.
Is NeuroStar treatment effective?
NeuroStar is backed by the largest clinical data set of any TMS system for depression. In an independent, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial—funded by the National Institute of Mental Health—patients treated with TMS using the NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System, were four times more likely to achieve remission compared to patients receiving sham treatment. The majority of people treated with NeuroStar experience significant, long-lasting improvement.
What are the side effects of NeuroStar treatment?
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is safe and generally easy to tolerate. The most common side effect is mild to moderate pain or discomfort that usually goes away within the first week of treatment. Click here for a full list of possible side effects.
Does insurance cover NeuroStar treatment?
Over 300 million people have insurance plans that cover this treatment. Use this coverage search tool to see if your insurance plan covers NeuroStar therapy.
NeuroStar offers hope and the opportunity for an improved quality of life for those suffering from depression who have been unable to experience lasting relief through traditional antidepressant and/or psychotherapy treatment.
Contact Travco Behavioral Health today to learn more about whether NeuroStar treatment might be right for you!
