Transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly reduces depressive symptoms in 50% of patients with treatment-resistant depression and 30% reported full remission of symptoms.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation uses a magnetic field to stimulate a brain region (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) that plays an important role in mood regulation, decision making, and memory.

The study compared and shorter form and a longer form of the treatment (five days a week during a six-week period). Twice as many participants receiving the shorter treatment (3 minutes) experienced a significant reduction in symptoms compared to those received the longer treatment (30 minutes).

There has been a growing body of evidence suggesting transcranial magnetic stimulation as a non-invasive treatment for major depression.