Sooma Pioneers the Integration of Brain Stimulation into Primary Care, Improving Access to Early-Stage Depression Treatment
Sooma Medical has pioneered the integration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) into primary care settings in Finland. Sooma’s tDCS therapy – a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment – is now available in over 65 specialized and primary healthcare facilities across Finland, making advanced depression treatment more accessible than ever.
Medication and therapy have long been the standard treatments for depression. However, these traditional options face challenges: many patients experience unsatisfactory results or unwanted side effects, while limited resources and long waiting times restrict access to care. Sooma’s brain stimulation treatment offers a safe and effective drug-free alternative, having already helped over 25,000 patients worldwide. Because patients can use this treatment at home, it both reduces pressure on healthcare systems and makes depression care more widely accessible.
“Until now, early-stage treatment options have been limited for patients who don’t respond to medication or have access to therapy. By introducing tDCS into primary care, we’re elevating early-stage depression treatment to a new level,” says Tuomas Neuvonen, CEO of Sooma. “By making effective care available in primary care before symptoms worsen, we can reduce the risk of prolonged depression and disability, while also easing the burden on costly and overburdened specialist services.”
Depression is a leading cause of disability globally, affecting hundreds of millions of people, with approximately 300 million sufferers worldwide, according to WHO. Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity (WHO).
“The cost of treating depression is relatively low, but failing to treat it, or treating it inadequately, leads to substantial costs. We need effective treatment options in primary care to prevent depression from becoming chronic and causing disability,” says Neuvonen.
In addition to primary care, tDCS has proven highly effective as a first-line depression treatment in occupational health settings. Sooma’s treatment is now also available through occupational health services in Finland.
“Occupational health is vital in treating depression. In Finland, occupational health services cover many working-age individuals with depression, which makes expanding access to early interventions essential. Sooma tDCS treatment can help reduce sick leaves while improving ability to work in a cost-effective manner,” says Neuvonen. “Employers should see mental health care as an investment rather than an expense. TheSooma tDCS treatment course costs less than a few days of sick leave,” he adds.
About Sooma tDCS treatments
Sooma is leading the global fight against depression by offering a flexible and accessible treatment solution, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), through its portable neuromodulation device. tDCS uses a mild electrical current to stimulate the brain and alleviate depression symptoms without the need for pharmaceuticals. Sooma’s treatment targets the brain and relieves symptoms without causing systemic side effects commonly associated with antidepressant medications. Sooma’s prescription-only therapies can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatment types. It is also one of the few brain stimulation therapies that patients can safely administer at home.
Sooma’s depression treatment includes a portable neuromodulation device, a mobile app for patient-controlled treatment, and a digital platform for clinicians. This platform allows remote monitoring of treatment adherence and personalized adjustments, regardless of patient location. Clinicians can manage multiple patients simultaneously, offering an efficient and scalable solution for depression treatment and making brain stimulation more accessible. Sooma’s prescription-only therapies can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other treatments.
Sooma’s brain stimulation devices have become the most prescribed tDCS therapies worldwide, treating over 25,000 patients in more than 35 countries. Sooma treatment is available in over 65 specialized and primary healthcare facilities across Finland. Proven effective in placebo-controlled trials, the treatment helps most patients experience symptom relief within weeks. This has enabled them to overcome severe work impairment and resume their normal routines.
About Sooma Medical
Founded in 2013, Sooma is a Finnish medical device company specializing in non-invasive brain stimulation devices for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Sooma works closely with leading medical experts to develop effective treatment solutions. Manufactured in Finland, Sooma’s devices adhere to strict ISO 13485 and MDSAP quality management standards. To date, more than 25,000 patients have found relief with these treatments. Sooma Depression Therapy is available in more than 35 countries worldwide. In September 2023, Sooma became the first tDCS device manufacturer to receive EU MDR certification for medical devices.
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