Benefits of the SAINT Protocol
The SAINT protocol is highly beneficial for patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. During the research stage for the SAINT protocol, participants ranged from 22 to 80 years of age and had experienced depression symptoms for nine years. Throughout the nine years, many participants had tried medications with little to no relief, or their prescription’s efficacy had diminished.
Within four weeks of treatment, 12 of the 14 participants saw a reduction in their symptoms, and many felt better within days of starting treatment. This response time is much faster than traditional medication for depression, which often takes a month to start showing results. Due to the fast response time, researchers hope to use the SAINT protocol to quickly treat patients at a crisis point.
Another benefit of the SAINT protocol is how individualized the treatment process is for patients. Since the treatment targets core brain mechanisms, patients will either achieve remission in a week or know that TMS is not the right treatment option for their needs.
Possible Downsides
Many patients report a temporary feeling of mild pain or discomfort on the treatment site during the treatment session. Other temporary side effects include muscle twitching and pain in the jaw.