Rangsons introduces Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in India to treat depression, OCD

Around the world, TMS has evolved as an effective non-drug based treatment option or an adjunct (add-on) treatment for depression with no side-effects

‘Mindful TMS Neurocare’, India’s first chain of super specialised neurocare centers for treating depression has been launched recently by Rangsons Healthcare, which is part of NR Group, the parent company of the popular agarbathi brand Cycle Pure Agarbathies. This will be the first of its kind center to use US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treating depression, addiction and OCD in India.

Pavan Ranga, MD, Rangsons, along with Dr Murali Rao, MD, FACLP, Professor and Chairman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago, USA, and Dr Jateen Ukrani, Senior Psychiatrist, New Delhi were present at the event.

TMS has helped thousands of patients to overcome depression, OCD and has shown effectiveness for addictive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Post Stroke Depression and depression during pregnancy. It has also been effective for whom the antidepressants may have worked only partially. Recognising its effectiveness, numerous health insurance companies cover TMS treatment in USA and around the world.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate targeted nerve cells and improves symptoms of depression and other listed conditions mentioned above. A typical TMS session lasts for about 19 minutes and the accelerated version lasts for about nine minutes post which, the patients can resume their normal daily activity immediately.

Ranga said, “Our goal at Mindful TMS neurocare, is to create awareness about mental illnesses and to help patients who have or have not responded to medication. Our biggest strength is that we are global. We have access to globally tested protocols and practices to help increase the efficacy of the treatment. This treatment has helped over a million people in the US and now it is being brought to India. Our psychiatrists and psychologists are trained in global best practices and to understand the unique needs of patients and develop personalised treatment plans. Our clinicians will ensure that patients will feel at home in all our clinics.”

Dr Rao commented, “Depression afflicts a large number of adolescents, middle-aged groups and the elderly, both men and women in India, with an estimated prevalence of 56 million in India alone, as per recently published WHO report, affecting more in women than men. A large segment of depressed individuals who are in real need of treatment, are unable to get a holistic treatment and care, either because of non-availability, low awareness, prevailing stigma or discrimination of such patients. Though psychotherapy and anti-depressants are the first line of treatments available, the response and remission rates for antidepressants remain low in about 60 per cent of depressed population, the so called treatment resistant (TRD).

A state-of-the-art facility located at heart of the city, Greater Kailash II, will offer a distinguished treatment for psychological, psychiatric, and behavioural health and well-being. The team at the centre includes psychiatrists and psychotherapists who have extensive experience in neuromodulation and neurostimulation. This makes the team well aligned to deliver Neurocare’s model of sustainable, evidence-based treatments to its patients.