GROUNDED IN EVIDENCE. OPEN TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE.Areas of Ongoing Research
At Anew TMS, Dr. Sarah Stone follows this evolving body of research closely. For select patients, she may consider an investigational or off-label TMS approach when the available evidence, the patient’s medical history, and the potential benefits and risks support a thoughtful clinical discussion.
TMS is being studied for conditions beyond its established indications. Below are several areas of active research and what the current evidence suggests. These are evolving fields, and findings should be understood as promising areas of investigation rather than established standards of care
Anxiety
Researchers are investigating TMS for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, by targeting brain networks involved in emotional regulation and the stress response.
What the research suggests
Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that repetitive TMS and related forms of noninvasive brain stimulation may reduce anxiety symptoms for some patients. At the same time, studies remain relatively small and use a variety of treatment protocols.
Larger studies and longer-term follow-up are still needed before TMS can be considered an established treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.
These applications are investigational. TMS is not FDA-cleared for the conditions described below. The effectiveness of these approaches has not been established, individual results cannot be predicted, and treatment for these indications is typically self-pay rather than covered by insurance.