Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health disorders world- wide, with up to one-third of patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression despite adequate pharmacologic therapy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, noninvasive treatment shown to improve depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. However, access to advanced psychiatric interventions remains limited in rural communities due to provider shortages, transportation barriers, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite established efficacy in urban and academic settings, limited data exist on the feasibility and real-world outcomes of TMS implementation in rural healthcare settings. The purpose of this study is to highlight the feasibility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in rural healthcare settings and describe its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Methods
A case series involving three patients receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression was performed. This was done using FDA approved protocol for the Apollo TMS system for approximately 18 minutes per session. Depressive symptom severity was evaluated at baseline, during the treatment course, and following completion of therapy using validated screening tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).Concurrently, qualitative patient-reported experiences were documented to assess subjective changes in mood and functional status.
Results
Post-treatment transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) findings, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), indicate an overall improvement in depressive symptoms among participants. All three patients completed a full course of 30 TMS treatment sessions administered over a six-week period, allowing for there to be consistent evaluation of treatment outcomes across each patient case. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were utilized to assess clinical improvement, including changes in PHQ-9 scores, standardized depression screenings, and patient self-reported symptom ratings all throughout the treatment process. Altogether, the data demonstrated a positive therapeutic response within the patient sample. This was proved by the evidence of measurable reductions in depressive symptom severity and patients' subjective reports of improved mood and overall functioning following completion of TMS therapy.
Discussion
The three cases show an overall improvement in depression symptoms using transcranial magnetic stimulation within a rural healthcare setting. It also highlights that patients with treatment-resistant depression may have meaningful clinical benefit when barriers to access are reduced. Although this case series is limited in sample size, these findings give preliminary support for the feasibility of integrating TMS into rural healthcare settings. Further research with a larger patient population size and expanded assessment of implementation barriers is needed to evaluate the scalability, sustainability, and long-term clinical outcomes of TMS treatments in rural practice.
Embargo Period
5-27-2026
Included in
Feasibility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Rural Healthcare Settings: A Case Series
Moultrie, GA
Introduction
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health disorders world- wide, with up to one-third of patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression despite adequate pharmacologic therapy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, noninvasive treatment shown to improve depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. However, access to advanced psychiatric interventions remains limited in rural communities due to provider shortages, transportation barriers, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite established efficacy in urban and academic settings, limited data exist on the feasibility and real-world outcomes of TMS implementation in rural healthcare settings. The purpose of this study is to highlight the feasibility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in rural healthcare settings and describe its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Methods
A case series involving three patients receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression was performed. This was done using FDA approved protocol for the Apollo TMS system for approximately 18 minutes per session. Depressive symptom severity was evaluated at baseline, during the treatment course, and following completion of therapy using validated screening tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).Concurrently, qualitative patient-reported experiences were documented to assess subjective changes in mood and functional status.
Results
Post-treatment transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) findings, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), indicate an overall improvement in depressive symptoms among participants. All three patients completed a full course of 30 TMS treatment sessions administered over a six-week period, allowing for there to be consistent evaluation of treatment outcomes across each patient case. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were utilized to assess clinical improvement, including changes in PHQ-9 scores, standardized depression screenings, and patient self-reported symptom ratings all throughout the treatment process. Altogether, the data demonstrated a positive therapeutic response within the patient sample. This was proved by the evidence of measurable reductions in depressive symptom severity and patients' subjective reports of improved mood and overall functioning following completion of TMS therapy.
Discussion
The three cases show an overall improvement in depression symptoms using transcranial magnetic stimulation within a rural healthcare setting. It also highlights that patients with treatment-resistant depression may have meaningful clinical benefit when barriers to access are reduced. Although this case series is limited in sample size, these findings give preliminary support for the feasibility of integrating TMS into rural healthcare settings. Further research with a larger patient population size and expanded assessment of implementation barriers is needed to evaluate the scalability, sustainability, and long-term clinical outcomes of TMS treatments in rural practice.
Comments
Presented by Brandon Krout.