About the TMS Procedure
The TMS treatment process stimulates the mood control center of the brain by targeting the area with fast, concentrated magnetic pulses that increase activity of brain cells and improve overall mood and mental clarity. This painless, convenient procedure allows the patient to relax in a chair listening to music and watching TV while the treatment is in progress.
During the TMS procedure, a coil device is placed over the patient’s left frontal lobe(left DLPFC) to deliver magnetic pulses to the brain. These pulses cause electrical changes within the underlying brain circuitry. This procedure is non-invasive and relatively painless. Depending on the type of treatment, each treatment session takes about 10-30 minutes to perform, and patients can resume their regular activities immediately after each session. To achieve effective results, patients usually will need to be treated five days a week on weekdays for six to eight weeks, depending on the individual’s condition and response rate.
A TMS session is usually administered by a doctor or Certified TMS Technician and does not require anesthesia. If side effects are detected, adjustments to the amount of stimulation can be made during the procedure and for the following sessions.
Typical Course of Treatment
Although treatment varies by individual, a typical treatment course consists of:
- Average of 36 treatment sessions
- Conducted over a 6–8 week period
- 5 treatments per week
- Each treatment session lasts approximately 10–30 minutes
Benefits
- Non-Systemic – nothing enters the bloodstream
- Non-Sedating – patient remains awake and alert during treatment and can resume usual routine, including driving
- Non-Invasive – nothing is inserted or implanted into the body
- Non-Drug – no drug-related side effects such as weight gain, drowsiness, nausea, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress, and decreased libido
- FDA Cleared & Proven – 2 out of every 3 patients had a reduction in depression scores after a 4-week treatment period
What to expect
During treatment, patients relax in a treatment chair, while remaining awake and alert. The TMS Therapy device will deliver magnetic pulses to specific areas of your brain known to regulate mood and cognition. These pulses will feel like a mild tapping on the scalp. Although pain is not to be expected, the technician can make some 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 any discomfort.
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.
Your first treatment session
During the first TMS session, several measurements are made to ensure that the TMS coil will be properly positioned over the patient’s head. Once this is done, the TMS coil is suspended over the patient’s scalp. The TMS physician then measures the patient’s motor threshold, by administering several brief pulses. The motor threshold is the minimum amount of power necessary to make the patient’s thumb twitch and varies from individual to individual. This is an indicator of how “excitable” the patient’s brain is. Measuring the motor threshold helps the physician personalize the treatment settings and determine the amount of energy required to stimulate brain cells.
Once the motor threshold is determined, the coil is then brought forward so that it rests above the frontal region of the patient’s brain. Treatment is then commenced. During the treatment, patients will hear a series of clicking sounds and will feel a tapping sensation under the treatment coil. Motor threshold is not checked at every treatment, but may be reassessed if there is concern it may have changed. Patients need to report if there is any change in their health status during the treatment.
Because it is important to determine how to most effectively administer your individual treatment, your first session may last up to an hour. 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.
Magventure TMS Device
- Magnetic stimulator
- Magnetic coil for locating the patient’s exact treatment spot and intensity level (MT determination)
- Magnetic coil for the actual TMS treatment
- Trolley for the stimulator
- Comfortable treatment chair
- Pillow that shapes around the head to support and keep the patient stable during the MagVenture TMS Therapy
- Cotton caps to facilitate easy marking of the patient’s treatment location and repositioning on the patient’s head after the initial TMS session
- Cooling unit which allows consecutive treatment sessions with no issue of the coil overheating.
Who cannot get TMS therapy?
Patients with any type of non-removable metal in their heads (with the exception of braces or dental fillings), should not receive TMS. Failure to follow this rule could cause the object to heat up, move, or malfunction, and result in serious injury or death. The following is a list of metal implants that can prevent a patient from receiving TMS:
- Aneurysm clips or coils
- Stents in the neck or brain
- Deep brain stimulators
- Electrodes to monitor brain activity
- Cochlear implants in your ears.
- Shrapnel or bullet fragments in or near the head
- Facial tattoos with metallic or magnetic-sensitive ink. If someone had an MRI done in past, generally they can do TMS.