Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is an effective depression treatment with a success rate of 70% to 80%. For those who haven’t found relief with medications or therapies, TMS offers a safe alternative with fewer side effects.
TMS therapy is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to activate parts of the brain associated with mood regulation. First FDA-approved for treating major depression and treatment-resistant depression, TMS has also demonstrated effectiveness in numerous other conditions, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain.
If you’re interested in exploring TMS therapy, or want to learn more about this promising treatment, continue reading. In this guide, we dive into the advantages of TMS therapy and its success rate, as well as commonly asked questions about the effectiveness of TMS.
What is TMS therapy?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain associated with mood regulation. These pulses stimulate nerve cells that help relieve symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. TMS was first FDA-approved for treatment-resistant major depression (TRD), and its benefits are being explored for numerous other conditions, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and migraines.
During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp, delivering targeted pulses to regions of the brain associated with mood regulation. This encourages the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, helping restore brain function and balance brain activity over time.
Unlike traditional depression treatments, like medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS doesn’t require anesthesia, surgery, or medications. It also has few side effects, most of which are mild, making it a safe and well-tolerated treatment option.
TMS is also called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) because it involves delivering hundreds or even thousands of magnetic pulses in each session.
Different types of TMS therapy
There are a few different types or techniques of TMS therapy, including:
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Repetitive TMS (rTMS): This is the most common type of TMS, involving repeated magnetic pulses delivered to specific regions of the brain. rTMS sessions last around 20 to 40 minutes and occur five days a week over several weeks.
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Deep TMS (dTMS): This type of TMS uses a specialized coil to penetrate deeper into the brain, targeting more extensive neural networks. dTMS can be more effective for certain conditions.
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Accelerated TMS (aTMS): This is a more intensive version of rTMS, condensing treatment into multiple sessions per day given over a shorter timeframe. aTMS is suitable for those who cannot commit to the full TMS schedule and require faster results.
What does TMS help treat?
TMS is currently FDA-approved for the treatment of:
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Major depressive disorder
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Treatment-resistant depression
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Adolescent depression
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Smoking cessation
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Migraines
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
It has also been shown to be effective in treating:
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Bipolar disorder
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Anxiety disorders
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Autism
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Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease
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Chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia.
While TMS shows promising results in treating the above conditions, its use is considered off-label.
Continue Reading: Who Qualifies for TMS Therapy? (TMS Requirements)
Advantages of TMS therapy
TMS therapy offers numerous advantages over traditional depression treatments, including minimal side effects, personalization, and non-invasiveness. Here are the benefits of TMS therapy:
Non-invasive
TMS is a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t involve surgery or require medications. This means that it doesn’t affect the whole body, allowing patients to avoid the systemic effects often associated with antidepressants.
See More: What to Do When Antidepressants Don’t Work for You (and Why)
Minimal side effects
TMS therapy has minimal side effects, unlike traditional depression medications which can lead to insomnia, fatigue, digestive issues, weight gain, or even increased suicidal ideation. While side effects can happen with TMS, they are usually mild and temporary, resolving on their own after a few sessions.
Effectiveness
TMS has an excellent success rate in treating depression, especially for people who haven’t found relief through other treatment options. Studies show that one in two individuals undergoing TMS experience a 50% reduction in their symptoms, and about a third achieve full remission after six weeks of treatment. This makes it at least twice as effective as standard depression treatments.
Targeted & personalized
TMS only targets regions of the brain associated with mood regulation. The treatment is also personalized – the intensity, frequency, and duration can be modified based on their results and response to the therapy.
What happens during a TMS session?
TMS treatments are administered five days a week over several weeks, with each session lasting around 20 to 30 minutes. Here’s what happens during a typical TMS session:
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Pre-treatment: Before starting, you’ll be asked to remove any metallic objects (like jewelry) to prevent interference with the magnetic field. Your TMS therapist will settle you into a comfortable reclining chair and provide you with earplugs to reduce the clicking sounds from the machine. They’ll also answer any questions or concerns you may have before proceeding.
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Personalizing the treatment: Your first TMS session, called ‘brain mapping’, is all about tailoring the therapy to your needs. During this session, the technician will measure your head to identify the ideal location to place the magnetic coil. They’ll also adjust the strength of the pulses to suit your individual requirements.
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Treatment: A typical TMS session starts by placing the magnetic coil on your scalp. When treatment begins, you’ll hear a clicking sound and might feel a gentle tapping or knocking sensation. The treatment is painless and you’ll be awake and alert for the entire procedure.
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Post-treatment: Your session will be over in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your specific treatment plan. There’s zero recovery time afterwards and you’re free to drive yourself home and continue with your daily activities as usual.
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Follow-up sessions: Most TMS treatment schedules involve five sessions per week for a total of 36 sessions, however the exact duration will depend on your unique circumstances and how you respond to treatment.
If the traditional course of TMS therapy doesn’t suit your schedule, you may want to consider accelerated TMS. This is a faster, more intensive treatment option that delivers multiple sessions per day over a shorter timeframe.
Learn More: Accelerated TMS vs. Traditional TMS: Which One Makes Sense for You?
What’s the success rate of TMS therapy?
TMS therapy has a success rate between 70% to 80%, meaning the majority of patients experience significant improvements in their depression symptoms. Of these patients, approximately 50% achieve full remission, with depression symptoms disappearing completely for up to a year after a standard course of treatment.
The best way to understand the effectiveness and success of TMS therapy is to compare it to traditional antidepressant medications. One study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that standard depression medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have a success rate of about 27.5%. But if one medication fails to achieve results – often experienced by people with treatment-resistant depression – the success rate drops with each subsequent medication.
By the time a patient has tried a fourth medication, the effectiveness of the next drug drops to below 7%. With standard antidepressants requiring one to two months to see results, some patients can spend several months seeking an effective medication – and end up with minimal chances of remission. On top of that, many antidepressant medications come with a host of side effects, such as headaches, nausea, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.
In contrast, numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of TMS in relieving treatment-resistant depression with long-term results.
See Similar: Do Antidepressants Work and How Effective Are They?
What affects TMS success?
The effectiveness of TMS therapy can vary from person to person. Although it’s successful for a majority of patients, certain factors can influence how well a person responds to treatment. These include:
Age
TMS tends to be more effective in patients under the age of 60. While older patients can still benefit from the therapy, their response rates may be slightly lower.
Personality traits
Personality traits can play a role in TMS success. Studies show that patients who score higher on the temperament and character inventory (TCI) personality scale for tenacity – a trait marked by perseverance – responded more quickly to TMS.
Level of treatment-resistance
TMS tends to be more effective for patients with treatment-resistant depression, especially those who’ve tried multiple antidepressants without relief.
Using antidepressants
Combining TMS with antidepressant medications might improve the success rate by enhancing the overall effectiveness of treatment.
Keep Reading: TMS for Anxiety: Benefits, Effects, and More
How many TMS sessions do I need?
TMS therapy usually involves multiple sessions administered over several weeks. In most cases, TMS sessions are given five days a week for a total of 36 sessions for long-term relief of major depression and treatment-resistant depression.
Each TMS session lasts around 20 minutes, although exact times will depend on the treatment protocol. You’ll be fully awake during the procedure, sitting comfortably in a reclining chair while a TMS technician delivers magnetic pulses to targeted areas of your brain. The treatment is painless, although you may feel certain sensations like tingling or scalp discomfort during or after treatment.
Most TMS patients start noticing improvements in their symptoms after about 10 to 15 sessions, which corresponds to about two to three weeks of treatment. Some may notice positive results earlier while others may take longer to see significant changes.
The reason why TMS is administered over several sessions is that it has a cumulative effect on the brain. Each session helps stimulate neural pathways associated with mood regulation. Over time, this gradually promotes long-term improvements in brain function and activity. While it might feel like a lot to receive sessions five times a week, the treatment is an outpatient procedure that requires zero recovery time. After each session, you’re free to return to your daily activities as usual – whether that’s work, school, or home.
How long do the effects of TMS last?
TMS may not be a permanent cure for depression or anxiety, but it offers significant long-term relief with most patients experiencing reduced symptoms or complete remission for 6 to 12 months after a full course of treatment. That said, the treatment is different for everyone. Some people may continue feeling the benefits of TMS for years while others return for an additional course of treatment after a few months.
Certain factors can play a role in how long the effects of TMS persist. For example, those who take medication as recommended and follow appropriate lifestyle choices can continue to experience benefits for longer. In some situations, it can be beneficial to receive maintenance treatments to prevent relapse. Each individual is different, and that’s why we focus on customized treatment plans for each of our patients here at BestMind Behavioral Health.
See: Short-Term and Long-Term Efficacy of Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression
What happens if TMS doesn’t work?
If you don’t feel the desired effects after undergoing TMS therapy, don’t worry. No single treatment or medication can work 100% of the time for all people, and it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. Depression and anxiety manifest differently for everyone, and several factors contribute to how well TMS works. Some people may require multiple rounds of treatments to feel results while others notice improvements after combining TMS with other therapies. The important thing to remember is that there are still other options to explore.
If the first course of TMS doesn’t work for you, you may want to try another round of treatments in combination with:
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Anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants
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Talk therapy
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Lifestyle changes, such as exercise or diet.
If you still don’t feel the desired results, then other options include esketamine nasal spray (Spravato). The key is that you will never be alone on this journey – our team at BestMind Behavioral Health are committed to exploring your options and supporting you on your mental health journey.
Explore TMS therapy today
TMS therapy has an impressive success rate, with around 70% to 80% of patients experiencing improvements and nearly 50% achieving full remission after a round of treatments. If you’ve tried medications and haven’t found relief for your symptoms, TMS could be the solution you’re looking for.
To learn more about TMS and discuss your eligibility, contact our team at BestMind Behavioral Health. We offer this treatment from our comfortable clinics in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, and we’re committed to supporting you on your journey to improved mental well-being.
