Key findings at a glance:
How a TMS bilateral protocol improves depression symptoms
TMS is an FDA-approved, non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to activate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is commonly used when antidepressant medications and psychotherapy have not provided adequate relief. Traditional TMS only stimulates the left side of the brain. The Family Care Center study focused on a sequential bilateral method that treats both sides of the brain, one after the other, not at the same time. The sequential bilateral method combines an FDA-approved protocol to the left side of the brain, followed by an evidence-based protocol to the right side of the brain in a novel approach, offering the potential for higher response and remission rates, providing patients with an advanced option for more complete recovery. The protocol that’s applied to the right side of the brain is a patterned type of stimulation that delivers short bursts of pulses referred to as intermittent theta burst (iTBS). It is FDA-approved when applied to the left side of the brain. In the study, it was applied to the right side of the brain. “This study shows that we can meaningfully improve outcomes for patients who have struggled for years to find relief,” said Family Care Center Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Weber. “These are remission rates we simply haven’t seen before with standard TMS, especially in a real-world clinical population.” What the study found: TMS outcomes for depression, anxiety, and PTSD
The study, titled “A Retrospective Study to Assess Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Receiving a Novel Sequential Bilateral Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for Depression,” found that:
Depression affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and remains the leading cause of disability. Many patients also experience anxiety or trauma-related symptoms, which can make recovery more difficult. Despite advances in care, remission rates for many treatments, including standard TMS, have remained limited. Until now, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been the only brain stimulation technique consistently associated with remission rates above 50%. However, ECT requires anesthesia and is often linked to cognitive side effects, including memory impairment. The results of the Family Care Center study suggest that advanced bilateral TMS could be a non-invasive option as effective as ECT, but without the need for anesthesia, seizures, or cognitive risks. How side effects of TMS compare to ECT
“TMS allows patients to stay fully awake, return to daily activities the same day, and avoid many of the risks associated with more invasive procedures,” Dr. Weber said. “It’s also covered by most major insurance plans and seamlessly integrates with existing care.”
The study, submitted December 17, 2025, was written by Charles L. Weber, D.O., Sabrina K. Segal, Stephen K. Gruschkus, and Christopher G. Ivany, M.D. The researchers used standard clinical tools, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). Detailed research methods and results can be viewed in the TMS Journal. For more information about Family Care Center TMS and other services, visit fccwellbeing.com.
About Family Care Center
Family Care Center is a national leader in mental health services, dedicated to positively impacting the well-being of local communities. Their top-rated, multi-specialty clinicians deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care, providing positive outcomes for patients of all ages. In addition to therapy, psychiatry, and IOP, they are at the forefront of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an innovative treatment for depression, and more. Founded in 2016, Family Care Center is one of the fastest-growing mental health care providers in the U.S., providing patient care, conducting research, and offering continuing medical education in their field. With nearly 50 locations across Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, they continue to expand nationally in collaboration with Revelstoke Capital Partners. SOURCE Family Care Center
- A recent study evaluated 600 adults with depression. Over 80% of participants experienced significant symptom improvement with a novel transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol developed by Family Care Center.
- More than half of patients reached full remission, exceeding the ~30% remission rates commonly reported for standard 30-day TMS courses.
- The findings suggest that stimulating both sides of the brain may help more patients recover, not just improve.
TMS is an FDA-approved, non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to activate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is commonly used when antidepressant medications and psychotherapy have not provided adequate relief. Traditional TMS only stimulates the left side of the brain. The Family Care Center study focused on a sequential bilateral method that treats both sides of the brain, one after the other, not at the same time. The sequential bilateral method combines an FDA-approved protocol to the left side of the brain, followed by an evidence-based protocol to the right side of the brain in a novel approach, offering the potential for higher response and remission rates, providing patients with an advanced option for more complete recovery. The protocol that’s applied to the right side of the brain is a patterned type of stimulation that delivers short bursts of pulses referred to as intermittent theta burst (iTBS). It is FDA-approved when applied to the left side of the brain. In the study, it was applied to the right side of the brain. “This study shows that we can meaningfully improve outcomes for patients who have struggled for years to find relief,” said Family Care Center Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Weber. “These are remission rates we simply haven’t seen before with standard TMS, especially in a real-world clinical population.” What the study found: TMS outcomes for depression, anxiety, and PTSD
The study, titled “A Retrospective Study to Assess Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Receiving a Novel Sequential Bilateral Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for Depression,” found that:
- More than 80% of patients achieved a clinical response, defined as a 50% or greater reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms.
- Over 50% reached full remission, defined as minimal or no depressive or anxiety symptoms.
- Patients with generalized anxiety disorder (60%) and posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD (38%) also showed similar rates of improvement.
Depression affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and remains the leading cause of disability. Many patients also experience anxiety or trauma-related symptoms, which can make recovery more difficult. Despite advances in care, remission rates for many treatments, including standard TMS, have remained limited. Until now, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been the only brain stimulation technique consistently associated with remission rates above 50%. However, ECT requires anesthesia and is often linked to cognitive side effects, including memory impairment. The results of the Family Care Center study suggest that advanced bilateral TMS could be a non-invasive option as effective as ECT, but without the need for anesthesia, seizures, or cognitive risks. How side effects of TMS compare to ECT
|
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) |
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) |
|
|
Requires anesthesia |
Yes |
No |
|
Risk of seizures |
Yes |
No |
|
Cognitive/memory side effects |
Yes |
No |
|
Return to daily activities on same day |
No |
Yes |
Family Care Center is a national leader in mental health services, dedicated to positively impacting the well-being of local communities. Their top-rated, multi-specialty clinicians deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care, providing positive outcomes for patients of all ages. In addition to therapy, psychiatry, and IOP, they are at the forefront of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an innovative treatment for depression, and more. Founded in 2016, Family Care Center is one of the fastest-growing mental health care providers in the U.S., providing patient care, conducting research, and offering continuing medical education in their field. With nearly 50 locations across Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, they continue to expand nationally in collaboration with Revelstoke Capital Partners. SOURCE Family Care Center
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