While studies show that about 70% of patients respond to psychological or pharmacological interventions for OCD, there are still individuals with treatment-resistant OCD. The below interventions have been utilized to improve treatment response in those individuals who do not find relief in first line treatments for OCD.
Treatment Resisitant Intervention
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TREATMENT RESISITANT INTERVENTION
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
TREATMENT RESISITANT INTERVENTION
Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tNVS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive stimulation technique that has shown promise in treating treatment-resistant OCD. It is considered noninvasive since the procedure is done without surgery or cutting into the skin. TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
- International OCD Foundation Resources on TMS
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resources on TMS
- UF Health Resources on TMS
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure where electrodes are placed into a specific brain region. These electrodes are connected to a pulse generator placed under the skin in the chest. This is a long-term treatment option. The settings of the device, and the placements of the electrodes can be adjusted according to patient’s response to treatment. This is considered an invasive treatment since surgery is required to place the electrodes.
- UF Health Article: Access to deep brain stimulation to treat severe OCD is impeded, experts say
- UF Health Resources for DBS
- Nature Medicine Article: Deep brain stimulation for obsessive–compulsive disorder: a crisis of access
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resources on DBS
- International OCD Foundation Resources on DBS
Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation
Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) is a treatment option that has promise to enhance the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT-E/RP). tVNS is a non-invasive technique that influences neuronal activity by sending electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. tVNS is considered a non-invasive technique and is delivered via an earpiece that makes contact with the tragus. The Department of Psychiatry is currently collaborating on a study to examine the effects of tVNS on CBT-E/RP treatment.