What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?
TMS is a safe, non-medication treatment for both depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It was cleared by the FDA in 2008, and involves outpatient stimulation of the brain using magnetic waves, which cannot damage tissue. There are over a thousand TMS centers in the United States, and we are the longest running center in Orange County to bill insurance.
Brief Treatment, Long Term Effect
The Brainsway Deep TMS is a non-invasive treatment which stimulates the brain region responsible for depression and brings significant improvement to patients. It is an outpatient procedure which doesnot require hospitalization or anesthesia, and entails no memory loss or systemic side effects.
In each session, the patient is comfortably seated on a chair, and a cushioned helmet is gently placed over the head. The helmet generates brief magnetic fields, similar to those used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. These magnetic fields briefly stimulate the targeted brain area and improve depression and OCD symptoms. The procedure requires daily sessions of 20 minutes over 4-5 weeks. After each session, patients can return home independently, and follow through their normal daily routine. Flexible scheduling available.
Have Antidepressants Failed to Work for You?
Brainsway's treatment launches a new era in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. It has many unique advantages over other treatments for depression. Antidepressants, for instance, fail to provide an adequate solution to many patients, and often entail harsh side effects, from nausea, insomnia, and anxiety to weight gain and sexual dysfunction, leading many patients to neglect their medication regime.
Other alternatives, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), require anesthesia and are known to cause memory loss, while Surface TMS offers lower efficiency, often with treatment is twice as long as with the Brainsway device.
As a result, many depression patients have been trapped in their conditions with no adequate solution.
Frequently Asked questions
As answered by Dr. Kinback
How long will it take to get better?
Treatments generally take 4-6 weeks.
What is the success rate?
The response rate is 75%, and the full remission rate is 50% for depression. For OCD, 60% of patients show improvement over baseline to a satisfactory response.
What does TMS feel like?
Patients often describe it as a tapping on their head. Sensitivity varies between patients, so the feeling can vary from a light tapping to a heavier sensation, however, very few patients stop TMS due to `side effects.
What is better about deep TMS compared to traditional TMS?
While both devices have similar outcomes, the published response adn remission rates seem higher for the deep TMS. Most traditional (rTMS) treatments are 38 minutes long, while deep TMS is 21 minutes. The duration of stimulation with deep TMS is 2 seconds every 20 seconds, vs. 4 seconds every 26 seconds for traditional. There is generally more discomfort with longer pulse trains. The deep TMS penetrates 3-5 cm into the head vs 2-3 for traditional, allowing the TMS energy to reach deeper brain structures. Patients with neck problems may tolerate deep TMS better, which is done sitting upright with the neck free to move, instead of a 30 degree angle with the head strapped or braced in place. Deep TMS is shorter treatment.
How does TMS work?
TMS involves brief magnetic fields that stimulate the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area that often shows decreased activity in patients with major depressive disorder or OCD. It helps "wake up" parts of the brain that are "asleep" in depression, and helps reduce OCD symptoms.
Who administers TMS?
Either your clinician or a certified TMS Technician will be in the room during the entire treatment.
Do I need to be hospitalized?
No, the treatment is entirely outpatient and generally lasts 20-30 minutes.
Are there any lifestyle restrictions for patients during TMS treatment?
Patients must avoid all alcohol consumption during TMS treatment. Alcohol consumption greatly raises the risk of seizure. Caffeine should be avoided but a consistent, modest intake is OK.
Can I drive or work after a TMS treatment?
Yes, patients drive themselves to and from the office and report no inability to work right after treatment.
What are the side effects of TMS?
Many patients report no side effects. Some patients report mild treatment site discomfort or headaches when first starting TMS, but this usually disappears after the first few visits. There is a very slight risk of seizure during TMS, but many precautions are taken to carefully monitor and diminish the risk.
