Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy is an exciting FDA-cleared treatment from the forefront of medical science. It can produce long-lasting results in a variety of mental health conditions.
TMS can be a life-changing experience, especially for clients who have not responded to other treatment approaches.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an innovative mental wellness treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas, leading to pronounced changes in mood and behavior. FDA-cleared in 2008 for treatment-resistant depression, TMS therapy is an effective treatment for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and addiction.
A typical course of TMS therapy consists of daily sessions for six to nine weeks. Some providers may reduce the frequency of sessions towards the end of the TMS treatment process, while others may offer twice-daily sessions.
Most TMS sessions last from 20-40 minutes. Your first treatment session, known as the mapping session, is usually a little longer.
In the mapping session, your TMS therapist locates the area of brain cells they will target during treatment. They use single magnetic pulses to locate the motor cortex in your brain, which will induce twitching in your right hand. They can find the precise location of the target cells (which varies according to the condition they are treating).
At the end of the mapping session, your therapist will mark the target location on a white cap for use in future treatment sessions.
Research shows that the effects of TMS treatment can last for at least a year after the completion of an induction program.
A 2018 study on the efficiency of TMS for major depressive disorder found sustained response rates of up to 50% a year after TMS treatment. In a real-world study assessing the effect of deep TMS on clients with OCD, 52% of clients observed positive results for at least a month.
Clients may be able to further enhance the duration of the effects by attending maintenance treatments after the initial therapy course. Maintenance treatment protocols vary - they may consist of clusters of five TMS sessions on two days every month, one session every two weeks, or another treatment schedule.
There is significant variation in the time it takes for clients to experience the first improvements. While some clients notice results in the first week, others may see changes in the fourth or fifth week. If you notice improvements later than other people, this does not mean that the treatment is ineffective.
Related article: How many TMS sessions are needed?
TMS is a safe, non-invasive treatment that is FDA-approved for major depression. TMS also has very few side effects than other treatment methods like antidepressant medications.
The most common side-effects of TMS treatment are mild to moderate scalp discomfort at the treatment site and temporary headaches at the end of a session. These side effects often reduce as you progress through the treatment course.
Research shows that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy improves depression symptoms in 50-60% of clients struggling with treatment-resistant depression. About 1/3 of people experience complete remission, meaning their symptoms go away entirely.
Other studies have found that TMS can lead to remission in 84% of clients with general anxiety disorder and improve depression symptoms in 40% of clients living with PTSD.
Response rates are similar to anti-depressant medications, but TMS treatment has far fewer side effects and may be significantly cheaper.
At GIA Miami, we offer TMS treatment for various mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and substance and behavioral additions.
Our team is led by our founder Dr. Bonci, a pioneer of TMS therapy treatment working at the forefront of the scientific field. We ensure you receive the most up-to-date, advanced treatment technologies tailored to your needs. Our personalized approach allows each client to work on a one-to-one basis with our world-leading team, fully benefiting from our unrivaled expertise.
Read more: 3 Benefits of TMS Therapy
If you are struggling with your mental health or looking to enhance your cognitive performance, we're here the help. GIA Miami offers the tools and services you need to become the best version of yourself. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.
