Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

What Is TMS

TMS is a pain-free, noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It works by using a small magnetic coil placed against the scalp. The coil sends magnetic pulses into the brain, which pass through the skull and create electrical signals in the nerve cells underneath. Depending on the pulse pattern used, TMS can help activate underactive areas of the brain or calm areas that may be overactive. By stimulating these targeted areas, TMS promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to create and strengthen new neural pathways associated with healthier mood regulation and functioning.

Unlike medications, which affect the entire body, TMS is highly targeted. Clients remain awake and alert throughout treatment, and there is no anesthesia, sedation, or recovery period required.

What Conditions Are Treated by TMS

TMS has been shown to be safe and effective in treating depression and other mental health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved TMS in 2008 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (2). Since then, FDA approvals have expanded to include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Depression with anxious distress
Migraine headaches
Short-term smoking cessation

TMS has been shown to have great success rates. Controlled clinical trials applying TMS on patients who had failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medications showed that approximately 1 out of 2 patients experienced significant improvement in depression symptoms, and approximately 1 out of 3 patients experienced complete symptom relief after the full TMS therapy (1).

What To Expect

Consultation

Before undergoing TMS, clients will complete a consultation to determine if they are a good candidate for treatment. If approved, the psychiatrist will create an individualized treatment plan. A standard TMS course involves five treatments per week for four to six weeks, with each session lasting around 20 minutes.

First Session

During the first session, a psychiatrist uses a magnetic coil on the scalp to establish the client’s individual motor threshold in a process called brain mapping. This process helps determine the safest and most effective treatment location and stimulation level for each individual.

Ongoing Treatment

For each session, clients sit comfortably in a treatment chair while targeted magnetic pulses are delivered to areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Most people describe the sensation as a light tapping or rhythmic clicking on the scalp and do not typically experience pain. Clients remain awake and alert throughout treatment.

After Treatment

After each session, clients can immediately return to their normal daily activities, including driving and working. Some individuals may experience mild side effects, such as a temporary headache, though these symptoms usually fade quickly. Many people begin noticing improvement with their mental health condition within a few weeks of starting treatment.

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Sources

Apollo TMS Therapy. (2018, September). Patient information on transcranial magnetic stimulation [Patient handout]. Apollo TMS Therapy.
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is TMS? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-tms