Early augmentation is a relatively newer concept in the management of psychiatric disorders. In managing psychiatric disorders, augmentation strategies are commonly used after failed attempts of optimization of a dose of the medications and then switching to another medication. Neuromodulation methods are recommended by traditional treatment recommendations as augmenting strategies (mostly) in managing treatment-resistant/refractory cases of psychiatric disorders. Late in the process of therapy, several of these techniques are applied to the patient. However, using different neuromodulation techniques, early augmentation of the ongoing pharmacological or psychological treatment may be achieved, resulting in early symptom reduction or remission and early return to work by resuming functionality. The length of the symptomatic cycle may be shortened by early augmentation. There are several potential challenges to adopting an early augmentation strategy in clinical practice. This article discusses the concept and evidence of early augmentation strategy in managing psychiatric disorder by using neuromodulation technique and potential challenges before it.
Keywords: Early augmentation; neuromodulation; psychiatric disorder.