UT Health San Antonio reports navigated TMS reduced combat PTSD symptoms

UT Health San Antonio says a randomized clinical trial found that adding navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation to intensive psychotherapy reduced combat-related PTSD symptoms.

The study, published April 7 in JAMA Network Open, enrolled 119 active-duty military personnel and veterans in a 30-day residential treatment program. Researchers compared active navigated TMS with sham treatment, with both groups receiving trauma-focused psychotherapy.

According to the journal and the university, the active-treatment group saw greater symptom reduction during treatment and longer remissions than the sham group. UT Health San Antonio said the team used an MRI-guided, robotic-controlled approach to deliver the stimulation.

The university’s same-day release described the findings as breakthrough results for combat PTSD. MedicalXpress and EurekAlert also carried the announcement.

The findings add to the evidence base around neuromodulation as a possible supplement to standard PTSD care, although the study does not replace psychotherapy or other established treatments.

For veterans and service members living with combat-related PTSD, the trial offers a fresh indication that targeted brain stimulation may improve outcomes when added to intensive residential treatment.