Is it time for mental health services to invest in neurostimulation? An economic evaluation of transcranial magnetic stimulation therapies for the treatment of moderate to severe treatment-resistant depression in the UK.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols are safe and efficacious therapies for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), they remain inaccessible for many people in the UK and internationally. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of evidence demonstrating their value-for-money to commissioners.

Objective

To assess the cost-effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) versus treatment-as-usual (TAU) for treating TRD in UK mental health care services, and to evaluate operational circumstances underpinning cost-effectiveness.

Methods

This economic evaluation used data from the BRIGHTMIND trial (n=255), the SMD trial (n=187) and a study-specific structured exper

SUBMITTER: Cox E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12853435 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature