How Many SAINT® TMS Sessions Are There?
SAINT® TMS delivers 50 sessions over five consecutive days. Each day includes ten sessions of about ten minutes each, separated by roughly 50-minute breaks. This is significantly more sessions per day than conventional TMS, which delivers one session per day over about six weeks. The accelerated schedule is a defining feature of the SAINT® protocol.
Key takeaways
- SAINT® delivers 50 sessions total — 10 per day for 5 consecutive days.
- Each session lasts about 10 minutes, with 50-minute breaks between sessions.
- Conventional TMS delivers about 36 sessions over 6 weeks (one per day).
- Patients spend most of each treatment day at the clinic but remain awake.
- No anesthesia or sedation is used during SAINT® sessions.
The 50-Session Schedule
SAINT® delivers 50 intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) sessions across five consecutive weekdays. Each day follows the same structure: ten sessions of about ten minutes each, with approximately 50-minute breaks between them. The breaks are not downtime — they are part of the protocol, allowing the brain to consolidate the effects of each stimulation block.
Patients typically arrive in the morning and stay at the clinic for most of the day. Between sessions, most patients read, work on a laptop, rest, or talk with family. The clinic provides a comfortable environment for these breaks.
Why Multiple Sessions Per Day
The accelerated schedule is based on research from Stanford University suggesting that delivering multiple stimulation sessions per day with rest intervals can produce a faster and larger antidepressant effect than once-daily stimulation. The 50-minute break length was chosen to align with the brain's natural consolidation cycles.
This is different from simply doing more TMS faster. The combination of fMRI-guided targeting, theta burst pulses, and the specific rest interval schedule is what defines the SAINT® protocol.
How This Compares to Conventional TMS
Conventional TMS delivers one session per day, five days a week, for about four to six weeks — roughly 36 sessions total. Each session lasts about 19 to 37 minutes depending on the protocol. SAINT® compresses more sessions into five days by using shorter theta burst sessions and an accelerated daily schedule.
Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.
Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week
Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?
Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.
SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.
How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.
Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.
What makes it different: SAINT is the only FDA-cleared depression treatment that uses an fMRI scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.
In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America
Coral Springs, Florida
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Call or Text: 954-827-9793
Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.
Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SAINT sessions are there per day?
SAINT® delivers 10 sessions per day for 5 consecutive days, totaling 50 sessions. Each session lasts about 10 minutes, with 50-minute breaks between sessions. Patients spend most of each day at the clinic.
Why are there multiple SAINT sessions per day?
Research from Stanford found that delivering multiple theta burst sessions per day with 50-minute rest intervals produced a faster and larger antidepressant effect than once-daily stimulation. The breaks allow the brain to consolidate each session's effects before the next one begins.
How long is each SAINT session?
Each SAINT® session lasts about 10 minutes and delivers 1,800 magnetic pulses using intermittent theta burst stimulation. Including setup and positioning, each session block takes about 15 to 20 minutes, followed by a roughly 50-minute break.
Do I get all 50 sessions in one week?
Yes. SAINT® is delivered over 5 consecutive weekdays, with 10 sessions each day. The full 50-session course is completed in one week. This is one of the main differences from conventional TMS, which spreads about 36 sessions over 6 weeks.
Can I take breaks between treatment days?
SAINT® is designed to be delivered on 5 consecutive days. Skipping days disrupts the accelerated protocol. If you have a scheduling conflict, discuss it with the treatment team before starting. The five-day schedule is part of what makes SAINT® distinct from standard TMS.
Cited Research
SAINT® is delivered only by verified providers on the Magnus Medical system. Programs described as SAINT “alternatives”, “equivalents” or “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” are not SAINT®, are not affiliated with us, and SAINT® results do not apply to them. Read our SAINT® disclaimer.
Have questions about whether TMS may be appropriate for you?
Speak with our clinical team. A free consultation is the best way to get answers specific to your situation.
Related Patient Education
SAINT® Accelerated TMS
The 5-day, fMRI-guided protocol offered at our clinic
What Is SAINT® TMS?
FDA clearance, protocol, and evidence
Find a Verified SAINT® Provider
How to verify a SAINT® provider
What Happens During SAINT®
Day-by-day guide to the five-day protocol
SAINT® vs Traditional TMS
How SAINT compares to standard TMS
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