Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Shows Improvement in Depression Symptoms, Quality of Life Measures
New data released at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association show that patients with unipolar, nonpsychotic major depressive disorder receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with NeuroStar TMS Therapy® achieved significant improvements in both depression symptoms and in quality of life measurements. Overall, 58% of patients achieved a positive response to NeuroStar TMS therapy, with 37% of patients achieving remission from their depression.
After an average of 5 weeks of NeuroStar treatment, the percentage of patients reporting extreme problems with anxiety and depression decreased by 42.2%, demonstrating a reduction in depression symptomatology. For overall treatment effect, the percentage of patients reporting no problems in performing usual activities improved by 30.5%.
In the open-label study, which involved 307 patients receiving acute treatment with NeuroStar TMS, patients experienced statistically significant improvement across physical and mental variables as measured by the Short Form 36-Item Questionnaire (SF-36). The SF-36 is a multi-purpose, short-form health survey that evaluates functional health and well-being of disease among eight variables, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. After 5 weeks of acute TMS therapy, the most drastic improvement was seen in the mental component summary score, which more than doubled from 16.6 prior to therapy to 33.5 after therapy.
Similarly, self-reported quality of life measures significantly improved with TMS therapy compared with baseline according to the EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D), a standardized instrument that was used to evaluate the effect of TMS therapy on the quality of life of patients. At the end of acute treatment with TMS, the greatest improvements in EQ-5D dimensions were observed among patients who indicated no problems with usual activities (14.3% pre-TMS versus 44.8% post-TMS), anxiety/depression (1.6% pre-TMS versus 30.1% post-TMS), and pain/discomfort (39.4% pre-TMS versus 52.8% post-TMS). In other EQ-5D dimensions, 81.8% of patients reported no problems with mobility following TMS treatment versus 68.7% at baseline; 87.1% of patients reported no problems with self-care following TMS treatment versus 72.6% at baseline.
Source.“Non-Drug Depression Treatment Rapidly and Significantly Improves Disease Symptoms and Quality of Life.” (2012, May 8). Retrieved May 9, 2012, from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/non-drug-depression-treatment-rapidly-and-significantly-improves-disease-symptoms-and-quality-of-life-150600235.html.
EmSeeQ® Devices Aid in Quick Rescues
EmFinders ( http://www.emfinders.com) is a new technology company that has developed a device and subscription service for locating people with Alzheimer’s disease or other impaired adults and children who wander and become lost.
The wristwatch-style EmSeeQ® device, which has a secure steel mesh band and a unique locking mechanism that requires a key to open, uses patented E911 technology to transmit the wearer’s location. When a wearer is reported missing, department personnel remotely activate the device to dial 9-1-1 and report the location to emergency responders using cellular triangulation. This method is more effective than GPS-based locators because E911 technology works inside buildings, under canopies, and in remote areas, providing rescuers with more accurate information to assist in the recovery of lost individuals. EmSeeQ devices have played a key role in more than 100 rescues.
Source.“Lost Assisted Living Community Resident Quickly Rescued Thanks to EmFinders® EmSeeQ® Device.” (2012, March 28). Retrieved May 4, 2012, from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lost-assisted-living-community-resident-quickly-rescued-thanks-to-emfinders-emseeq-device-144625125.html