With over 300,000 concussions having occurred among US military veterans in the last decades, new research examined the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
According to their findings, released in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, subsequent symptoms among veterans or active-duty members of the US military, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, could be treated with rTMS.
Although the evidence for rTMS shows promise, more studies are needed to thoroughly assess the aftermath of post-concussion symptoms among military veterans.
The new research scoured through Google Scholar and PubMed databases and uncovered several articles that delved into the subject of rTMS and neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms.
In conclusion, the co-authors determined that “rTMS represents a novel innovative, and possibly transformative approach to the treatment of chronic neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms associated with military concussion.”
However, despite their assertions, the evidence is limited as to its effectiveness in treating chronic neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms among military veterans.
“We need to begin to design smarter trials that are powered to answer research questions to confidently assess and recommend rTMS as a treatment option for this population,” the co-authors asserted in their findings.
“This is an ambitious goal, but if successful, findings from such studies will speed up the widespread implementation of an effective nonpharmacologic treatment for our SMs and Veterans with chronic neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms associated with concussion.”
