Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a science-backed, FDA-cleared, noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of major depression.
It is most often used for depression that has not responded to antidepressant medication, and it is also used for an expanding list of other conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxious depression.
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What is NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is one of the most widely used TMS platforms in the United States. Foresight currently delivers TMS treatment using NeuroStar technology.
The treatment is a non-drug, noninvasive therapy that uses focused magnetic fields to revitalize underactive areas of the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when antidepressant medications haven’t been effective, have ceased working, or as an alternative to medication.
How does NeuroStar TMS work?
NeuroStar TMS uses a noninvasive procedure that uses focused magnetic pulses (similar in strength to an MRI) to revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. “Waking up” these regions can have a lasting effect on depression, making long-term remission from depression a reality for many people.
Who can benefit from NeuroStar TMS?
TMS is particularly suited to people who have navigated the journey of mental health treatment but haven’t found relief through traditional avenues. It may be worth discussing with a provider if any of the following describe you:
- Depression that has not responded to medication: You have tried one or more antidepressants without the relief you were hoping for. This is the most common reason people are referred for TMS.
- Difficult medication side effects: Weight gain, sedation, or emotional blunting have made antidepressants hard to stay on. Because TMS is not systemic, it does not carry those side effects.
- A preference for a drug-free option: You are interested in exploring non-medication approaches to support your mental health journey.
- Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: TMS is FDA-cleared as an adjunct treatment for OCD in adults, and is often used alongside exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.
- People diagnosed with anxious depression: TMS is also cleared to treat anxiety symptoms in adults who have major depressive disorder.
- Adolescents Ages 15 to 21: In March 2024, NeuroStar became the first TMS system FDA-cleared as a first-line add-on treatment for adolescents with major depressive disorder. Care for younger patients is coordinated through our adolescent services.
TMS is not right for everyone. Metal implants or devices in or near the head, certain medical conditions, and a history of seizures may rule it out or call for extra caution. A psychiatric provider screens for all of this before treatment begins.
What is the treatment process like?
Knowing the shape of a treatment course tends to make the decision easier. Here is how it usually unfolds.
Your first appointment
The first session is longer than the rest. Your provider measures your motor threshold, the smallest amount of stimulation that produces a slight twitch in your hand, and uses that measurement to calibrate your dose and position the coil. This is what makes the treatment specific to you.
A typical session
You sit in a reclining chair, fully awake. The magnetic coil rests against your scalp, and the device delivers pulses in short bursts with brief pauses in between. Most people describe the sensation as a tapping or pulsing.
Sessions last approximately 20 minutes, during which patients remain awake. There is no anesthesia and no sedation, so you can read, listen to music, or talk with your therapist.
How long is the TMS treatment?
A typical NeuroStar TMS treatment plan includes 36 sessions, each lasting about 20 minutes, over 6-8 weeks. Your doctor will determine what is right for you. Intermittent FMLA is available for those who qualify. Completing the full NeuroStar treatment course gives the best chance for delivering long-lasting relief from depression.
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Does NeuroStar TMS Therapy work?
The effectiveness of TMS varies. Some people may experience significant symptom improvement, while others may see only modest benefits.
A large real-world registry of more than 5,000 adults treated with NeuroStar for major depressive disorder reported meaningful rates of both response and remission. As with any treatment, results vary by individual, and a provider can help determine whether TMS fits your goals.
Is NeuroStar TMS covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for NeuroStar TMS has expanded significantly in recent years. Many major insurance providers now cover the treatment for patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxious depression who have not responded to other therapies. Additionally, insurance coverage for OCD TMS Therapy treatments is also on the rise.
Coverage details can vary by provider and the patient’s specific plan. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. However, if your insurance does not cover TMS, Cash-Pay, FSA, HSA, and major credit cards are also accepted as a payment option.
Our TMS Therapy Coordinator will confirm your eligibility and benefits and answer any questions you may have about insurance coverage.
The side effects of TMS
Potential effects include headache, scalp discomfort at the treatment site, tingling or spasms of facial muscles, or lightheadedness, which typically subside within the first week of treatment.
The seizure risk is extremely rare (<0.1%), and your provider screens beforehand for anything that would raise it. If a session is uncomfortable, tell your treater so they can adjust the settings.
Common myths about TMS
TMS involves a machine, a coil, and the word “brain,” which is enough to make anyone uneasy. Most of the worry people arrive with comes down to a handful of misconceptions.
Is TMS the same as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
No, these are different treatments. ECT is performed under general anesthesia and deliberately induces a brief seizure. TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses, requires no anesthesia or sedation, and requires no recovery period. You stay awake and drive yourself home.
Does TMS cause brain damage?
No, TMS is noninvasive. Nothing is implanted, nothing is cut, and the magnetic pulses are comparable to those used in an MRI. It has been in clinical use for depression in the United States since 2008.
Will TMS affect my memory?
No. Unlike ECT, TMS is not associated with memory loss. Cognitive side effects are not among the commonly reported effects, and most people find the main adjustment is simply getting used to the tapping sensation.
Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation painful?
No. Most people describe it as odd rather than painful, particularly in the first week. Discomfort at the treatment site is the most common complaint, and it usually eases as treatment continues.
Is TMS experimental?
No. TMS has been FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder since 2008, has since gained additional clearances, and is covered by many insurance plans for depression that has not responded to other treatments.
Will I need someone to drive me home?
No, because no sedation is used, and there is no recovery time, so most people drive themselves to and from appointments and go straight back to work or school.
