New Positive Data From Largest Real-World Study of Deep TMS in Patients With Comorbid PTSD and MDD

BrainsWay today announced the presentation of positive new real-world data demonstrating significant improvements in patients with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS).¹

“Patients living with both PTSD and depression often experience more severe symptoms and fewer effective treatment options,” said Toby Marton, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Mindful Health and a lead contributor to this study. “The promising outcomes observed across multiple clinical sites highlight the potential of Deep TMS to deliver meaningful benefits and support its role as potential treatment option for this challenging patient population.”

The real-world data collection study evaluated the efficacy of Deep TMS as a tool to improve symptoms in patients with comorbid PTSD and MDD. In the retrospective study, investigators evaluated 462 participants from 11 clinical sites who were diagnosed with both MDD and PTSD, and then received at least 20 Deep TMS treatment sessions using BrainsWay's H1 or H7 coils. Outcomes included changes in the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) before and after treatment. Of these participants, 83.5% experienced a response (a reduction in PTSD symptoms of ≥50%), with an average 52% reduction in PCL-5 scores. Patients also experienced substantial improvements in depression symptoms, including a 66.6% response rate (a reduction in depression symptoms of ≥50%), a 27.3% remission rate, and an average 50% reduction in PHQ-9 scores. The findings were recently presented in a poster, titled “Safety and Efficacy of Deep TMS in Comorbid MDD and PTSD: Real-World Data Analysis,” by Colleen Hanlon, PhD, the vice president of medical affairs for BrainsWay, at a recent leading industry conference.

“This study represents the largest real-world analysis of Deep TMS in patients with comorbid PTSD and MDD to date,” said Hanlon. “Given the significant burden associated with these co-occurring conditions, it is encouraging to see meaningful improvements in both PTSD and depression symptoms across a large and diverse patient population. These findings further strengthen the growing body of evidence supporting Deep TMS in complex psychiatric disorders.”

As of right now, Deep TMS is not currently cleared by the FDA for the treatment of PTSD and/or comorbid PTSD and MDD. Additionally, these preliminary findings from the real-world study remain subject to peer review analysis.

According to research, comorbidity in PTSD is the rule rather than the exception, with MDD being one of the most commonly comorbid conditions: The National Comorbidity Study found that 48% of individuals with a lifetime history of PTSD also met criteria for MDD.² Furthermore, these comorbid conditions exacerbate one another, leading to an overall lower quality of life for patients, with research showing that patients with comorbid MDD and PTSD have greater symptom severity, higher rates of suicide, more chronic illness, greater functional impairment, and a poorer response to treatment.³

References

1. BrainsWay presents positive data from largest real-world study of Deep TMS™ in patients with comorbid PTSD and major depressive disorder. News release. June 29, 2026. Accessed June 29, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/29/3318863/17676/en/brainsway-presents-positive-data-from-largest-real-world-study-of-deep-tms-in-patients-with-comorbid-ptsd-and-major-depressive-disorder.html

2. Kessler RC, Sonnega A, Bromet E, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1995;52(12):1048-1060.

3. Campbell DG, Felker BL, Liu CF, et al. Prevalence of depression-PTSD comorbidity: implications for clinical practice guidelines and primary care-based interventions. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22(6):711-718.