What Happens During the 5 Days of SAINT® TMS?
SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is delivered over five consecutive days, with ten sessions per day of about 10 minutes each and 50-minute breaks between them. Patients stay awake — no anesthesia is used — and the treatment is outpatient, meaning you return to your hotel or home each evening. Before treatment, you complete a psychiatric evaluation and an fMRI scan to determine your individualized stimulation target. This page is a patient guide covering what happens before treatment, on each day, and after treatment, including targeting, sessions, breaks, common sensations, and follow-up.
Key takeaways
- Five consecutive days, ten sessions per day.
- Each session is about 10 minutes with 50-minute breaks.
- Patients stay awake — no anesthesia.
- Outpatient — return home each evening.
- An fMRI is completed before treatment to set the target.
Before Treatment
Before the treatment week, you complete a psychiatric evaluation to confirm eligibility and an fMRI scan. The fMRI — both structural and functional — is used to compute your individualized stimulation target in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Standard MRI safety screening applies. The MRI must be completed and processed before the first treatment day.
Learn more about fMRI-guided TMS.
Day 1
On Day 1, you arrive at the clinic and are positioned for treatment. The coil is placed at your individualized target, determined from your fMRI. The first session delivers intermittent theta burst stimulation — you feel a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp. After about 10 minutes, the session ends and a 50-minute break begins. This repeats ten times. Most patients spend the full day at the clinic.
Days 2–4
Days 2 through 4 follow the same pattern: ten sessions per day with 50-minute breaks. Between sessions, most patients read, work on a laptop, rest, or listen to music. Scalp discomfort and headache, if present, usually lessen over the first day or two. The treatment team monitors you throughout and can adjust coil position or intensity if needed.
Day 5
Day 5 is the final treatment day — the same ten-session schedule. After the last session, the treatment team reviews how the week went and discusses next steps. You may be asked to complete symptom rating scales so your response can be tracked. A follow-up plan is arranged before you leave.
After Treatment
After the five days, a follow-up plan is arranged. This may include medication, psychotherapy, and the possibility of another course if symptoms return. In the clinical trials, follow-up was four weeks. Discuss a maintenance plan with your psychiatrist before starting treatment. If you traveled from out of town, follow-up may be coordinated with your home providers.
Targeting
SAINT® uses fMRI to compute your individualized stimulation target — not scalp measurements. This is a key difference from conventional TMS, which targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using scalp landmarks. The fMRI-based target is computed from how your prefrontal cortex connects to deeper mood circuits.
Learn more about fMRI-guided TMS.
Treatment Sessions and Breaks
Each session delivers intermittent theta burst stimulation — bursts of three pulses at 50 Hz — for about 10 minutes, with 1,800 pulses per session. After each session, a 50-minute break allows the brain to respond. Ten sessions per day for five days totals 50 sessions. You stay awake throughout; no anesthesia or sedation is used.
Common Sensations
Most people describe a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp during pulses. Headache was the most common side effect in the sham-controlled trial. Scalp discomfort and facial twitching are also common and usually lessen over the first day or two. Over-the-counter pain relief is often enough. Tell your team about any discomfort so coil position or intensity can be adjusted.
Outpatient Nature and Transportation
SAINT® is outpatient — no overnight hospital stay. You return to your hotel or home each evening. Because no anesthesia is used, you can generally drive yourself. If you experience a side effect that affects your ability to drive, tell the treatment team. If you traveled from out of town, plan to stay locally for the week.
Learn more about traveling for treatment.
Questions to Ask the Treatment Team
- How will my target be determined?
- What should I bring for the breaks between sessions?
- What side effects should I expect, and how are they managed?
- How will my response be measured?
- What is the follow-up plan after the five days?
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
What happens during the five days of SAINT® TMS?
Each day includes ten sessions of about 10 minutes each, with 50-minute breaks between them. You stay awake, no anesthesia is used. Between sessions, most patients read, work, or rest. The treatment is outpatient — you return to your hotel or home each evening. The five days are consecutive, Monday through Friday.
Does SAINT® hurt?
Most people describe a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp during pulses. Headache was the most common side effect in the sham-controlled trial. Scalp discomfort and facial twitching are also common and usually lessen over the first day or two. Over-the-counter pain relief is often enough. Tell your team about any discomfort.
What do patients do between sessions?
Between sessions, most patients read, work on a laptop, rest, or listen to music. The 50-minute breaks are built into the protocol. You stay at the clinic for most of each day. Some patients bring work or entertainment; others simply rest.
Do I need an MRI before SAINT®?
Yes. SAINT® uses a structural and functional MRI to select an individualized stimulation target. The MRI must be completed and processed before the first treatment day. Standard MRI safety screening applies, and people who cannot safely have an MRI are not candidates.
Can I drive after SAINT® sessions?
Yes, in most cases. SAINT® is delivered while you are awake and does not use anesthesia or sedation. Patients are generally permitted to drive afterward. If you experience a side effect that affects your ability to drive, such as a significant headache, tell the treatment team.
What happens after the five days?
After treatment, a follow-up plan is arranged. This may include medication, psychotherapy, and the possibility of another course if symptoms return. In the trials, follow-up was four weeks. Discuss a maintenance plan with your psychiatrist before starting treatment.
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 TMS Therapy?
How transcranial magnetic stimulation works for depression
Cost & Insurance
Benefits verification, CPT codes, and self-pay options
Am I a Candidate?
Screening factors for TMS and SAINT® eligibility
Schedule a Consultation
Book a free consultation with our clinical team
Contact & Directions
9734 W Sample Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33065
How Quickly Can SAINT® TMS Work?
Treatment duration vs when improvement is noticed
fMRI-Guided TMS for Depression
How personalized brain targeting works