Prolonged Stress: Could Brain Stimulation Therapy Help?

JAKARTA — Prolonged stress can affect various aspects of life, from sleep quality and emotional stability to the ability to concentrate. When it persists, some people begin looking for other approaches to support their mental health.

One technology being introduced in brain-health services is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). It uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve-cell activity in specific areas of the brain without surgery.

Seraphim Medical Center in Gading Serpong, Tangerang, is offering the technology through its ExoMind device at the Brain Wellness & Sleep Center. The centre’s neurologist, Dr Oktaviana Niken P., said prolonged stress is not only related to psychological wellbeing but can also affect brain functions that regulate emotions, focus and energy.

“Stress that lasts a long time is not just something people feel; it also affects how the brain regulates emotions, focus and energy. That is why mental health can also be supported by focusing on the brain, alongside maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Niken said in a written statement on Monday (2 November 2026).

ExoMind uses ExoTMS technology. It works by applying repeated magnetic-field pulses to influence the activity of neurons and neural networks in the brain.

During the procedure, a coil is placed near the head. The resulting electromagnetic pulses induce a small electrical current in the neural tissue in the targeted area.

One target is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a region at the front of the brain involved in cognitive functions, decision-making and emotional regulation. Niken likened the DLPFC to a control centre that helps a person manage emotions and make decisions. Stimulation of the area is intended to modulate neural-network activity.

She said repeated stimulation is associated with neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and bring about changes in connections between nerve cells.