UT Health San Antonio researchers report breakthrough findings significantly reducing symptoms for combat PTSD victims
UT Health San Antonio Newsroom
Apr 07, 2026
Adding navigated TMS to psychotherapy can ‘greatly improve’ quality of life
An advanced version of a procedure using magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells in treating depression was significantly effective for 85% of active military and veterans suffering from combat post-traumatic stress disorder enrolled in a recent study, when added to psychotherapy.
The breakthrough study led by UT Health San Antonio researchers used their patented MRI-guided, robotic-controlled form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which they termed “navigated TMS.” They added navigated TMS to the treatment plan for one of two groups of a total 119 active-duty military and veteran participants with combat PTSD – 92% with severe or extremely severe conditions – during a 30-day residential program at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in San Antonio.
Those who received the navigated TMS treatment in addition to the highest level of psychotherapy for PTSD had more clinically significant symptom reductions a month after completion – enough to greatly improve their quality of life – compared with those receiving a “sham” TMS resembling the procedure but not delivering the treatment. Also, those receiving the TMS add-on were more likely to maintain their treatment gains over time.