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This article will provide an in-depth comparison of neurofeedback and TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) for cognitive improvement.
Introduction
Cognition, or how the brain functions, can change over time. Your cognition refers to the way that you are able to develop, learn, and function relating to things like:
- Brain capacity
- Memory
- Attention
- Decision making
- Problem-solving
- Comprehension
- Creativity
With good cognitive skills, you are able to do things like read a book, think of a solution to a problem, retain information that someone tells you, and pay attention when your family is talking to you. It also helps you remember what you have to do for the day or which appointments you have and make decisions.
Cognitive changes can be the result of brain injuries, mood disorders, poor mental health, physical health issues, or age. However, cognitive skills are essential for maintaining and improving your development. With the right cognitive support, you can continue to improve your focus, mental health, and overall well-being.
Today, there are two cutting-edge brain-based therapies: Neurofeedback and TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).
What Is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, sometimes called EEG biofeedback, is a non-invasive procedure that measures your brain activity with the goal of helping you alleviate symptoms or improve cognition. It works by attaching to a computer program to measure your brain waves based on the feedback you get from different signals.
The goal here is to learn which of your brain waves might be inhibiting others so that you can improve your cognition, behaviors, and emotional regulation. Much the same as TMS, it works well through neuroplasticity and can be particularly applicable to those who are being treated for epilepsy, whereas TMS cannot.
What Is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive procedure where you sit in a comfortable chair and have electrodes placed on your head. The device on your head is responsible for sending electromagnetic pulses into targeted regions of your brain. The technician who administers the procedure will spend the first few sessions mapping your brain, after which they will decide where and with which intensity different areas of the brain need to be reached.
The purpose behind this is to help provide deep stimulation in areas of the brain that cannot necessarily be reached with things like medication, offering relief from mental health disorder symptoms and improving cognition.
Neurofeedback vs TMS: Key Differences
What are the key differences when comparing TMS therapy vs. neurofeedback?
-Treatment Approach
One of the biggest differences in the treatment approach is that neurofeedback can help people improve their cognition after a brain injury or with Alzheimer’s, but TMS is FDA-approved to treat mental health disorders.
Neurofeedback focuses on providing clients with feedback about their brain activity so that they can work toward controlling their brains more effectively. The goal here is to improve different cognitive abilities, such as:
- Attention
- Concentration
- Focus
It has been used to help elderly individuals improve their cognition and monitor cognitive changes for those with Alzheimer’s and MCI.
TMS has been FDA-approved for depression and OCD but can also be used to treat things like:
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Smoking
- Addiction
- BPD
- ADHD
- Regular cognition
-Target Areas
When comparing TMS vs. neurofeedback, TMS can target any area of the brain associated with the characteristics that you want improved. For example, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is often targeted for depression and anxiety.
-Level of Invasiveness
Neither neurofeedback nor TMS are invasive treatments. For both, you sit in a chair with electrodes attached to the head.
But with neurofeedback, you watch a screen or listen to something while receiving real time data on your brainwave patterns. With TMS you have electromagnetic pulses sent into the brain to help improve brain function.
-Treatment Duration
Treatment sessions for neurofeedback are generally 30-40, and for TMS, 20-40. Both have sessions on a regular basis, spanning a few weeks.
TMS vs Neurofeedback: Effectiveness for Cognitive Improvement
There is limited clinical evidence for Neurofeedback, but decades of clinical evidence for TMS for mental health conditions.
-Success Rates
Factors for success indicate that both neurofeedback and TMS have extensive results, lasting between six months and one year. TMS, however, tends to last a bit longer.
-Factors Affecting Effectiveness
Factors that impact the efficacy of TMS therapy vs. neurofeedback include things like:
- The consistency with which you receive treatment and attend sessions
- The power of the TMS device and stimulation
- The expertise of the provider
Neurofeedback vs TMS for Depression
When you compare neurofeedback vs. TMS for depression, one of the most important differences is that neurofeedback is technically only approved by the FDA for stress relief, whereas TMS is approved for major depressive disorder, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
-Neurofeedback for Depression
There are insufficient clinical trials to substantiate the efficacy of neurofeedback for depression compared to TMS therapy for depression. When looking at neurofeedback vs. TMS for depression, some studies have indicated that there is promise, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. There are inappropriate control conditions for the studies, and it’s often used as a supplement but not as a complete replacement.
-TMS Therapy for Depression
Literature reviews report that response rates for those with MDD to TMS are between 50% and 55%; the remission rates for those with treatment-resistant depression average 30% of participants.
Literature reviews across 12 studies and hundreds of patients have confirmed that TMS can decrease the severity of symptoms and in one quarter of cases, lead to complete remission. FDA approval has been official since 2008 and since that time new research and imaging has found that targeting the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex leads to clinical improvements in the neural networks.
Several clinical TMS sites have confirmed that TMS therapy is highly effective for depression, especially where antidepressants proved ineffective. That change is long-lasting as well, with over 37% remission rates, and the majority of participants have been enjoying relief from their symptoms for well over one year.
Conclusion
Overall, if you are looking for improvement in your cognitive impairment, you can choose neurofeedback vs. TMS for depression or cognitive impairment depending on your personal preferences and goals. It’s essential that individuals consult with healthcare providers to determine which option is best for individual cognitive goals.