St John of God Hospital in Dublin has announced that it is the first hospital in Ireland to introduce Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy for patients who do not respond to conventional depression treatments.
rTMS is a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions, helping to form new neural connections and regulate mood.
Clinical studies show that around 50 per cent of patients experience significant symptom relief, with about a third achieving remission, RTE reported.
The consultant-led service is available on an outpatient basis without the need for anaesthesia.
This assumes significance as Ireland has the highest rate of chronic depression among young people in Europe, with 12 per cent of those aged 15-24 reporting persistent symptoms.