Typical TMS Treatment

Although treatment varies by individual, a typical TMS treatment course consists of:

✔ Average of 30-36 treatment sessions

✔ Conducted over a 4-6 week period

✔ 5 treatments per week

✔ Each treatment session lasts approximately 20-40 minutes

What to expect during TMS treatment

During TMS treatment, patients relax in a treatment chair and remain awake and alert. The TMS Therapy device will deliver magnetic pulses to specific areas of your brain known to regulate mood. These pulses will feel like tapping on the scalp. The technician can make adjustments if the tapping is uncomfortable. Mild headache or scalp discomfort is sometimes experienced at the site of stimulation during or after treatment. Over-the-counter analgesic may be taken to alleviate discomfort. If discomfort persists, the strength of the magnetic field pulses can be reduced to make treatment more comfortable.

After a treatment session, patients can immediately return to their normal routine, including driving. In clinical trials, most patients experienced a positive response to TMS Therapy by the fourth week of treatment. Some patients may experience results in less time, while others may take longer. It is important to continually discuss any depression symptoms with your TMS Technician.

The results were impressive with 55 of the 82 (67.1%) patients positively responding to TMS treatment and with 38 of 82 (46.3%) patients identified to be in remission. Response rates were determined based upon a minimum of a 50% reduction in symptom score compared to the baseline. No significant adverse events were experienced during or after treatment.

Your first treatment session

Because it is important to determine how to most effectively administer your individual treatment, your first treatment session can last up to 90 minutes, as one of our practitioners will determine the appropriate placement and energy settings of the treatment coil. You will be provided with earplugs to reduce the audible tapping sound that the device emits. You can bring your own headphones (providing they are not metal) and listen to music during your treatment. Placement of the treatment coil and strength of the magnetic field are important factors in successful TMS treatment and each patient requires customized settings to ensure the correct treatment dose. In order to do this, a test will be performed to identify your motor threshold; the amount of magnetic field strength resulting in a movement of the fingers on your right hand. From there, the coil is moved to the left frontal lobe, specifically the Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), where treatment begins.

Typical TMS Treatment