The Time Commitment for TMS
Today we’d like to talk about what sort of time commitment our patients can expect when they
take up a regimen of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. NeuroStar TMS is indicated for
the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults who haven’t found sufficient relief from
antidepressant medications. TMS is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it doesn’t involve
surgery or anesthesia.
During a session, the patient sits in a comfortable chair while an electromagnetic coil is
positioned on their head, especially the areas over the left prefrontal cortex. The machine
delivers magnetic pulses for a set duration, and the patient may feel a slight tapping or
scratching sensation on their scalp. There is no expected downtime, and patients can typically
return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
TMS is well-tolerated and involves little to no discomfort, but there is a time commitment.
rTMS, or repetitive TMS, is the most common way of administering the therapy. Let’s take a
look at some data about the time commitment for TMS treatments.
The schedule used for the most consistent quality runs as follows. The treatment runs for nine
weeks at only twenty minutes per session. The first six weeks run Monday through Friday for
daily treatments. Then, the frequency tapers off until once a week in week nine. Different
approaches can be taken based on the patient’s needs, and a treatment plan is created
specifically for each patient.
How long it takes for TMS to be effective also varies. Some patients notice improvement after
only four weeks, and some get good results in as little as two weeks. This does not affect how
long the treatment lasts for each individual. Patients have reported successes of up to a year of
remission.
Some factors that influence one’s experience with TMS are:
− The patient’s condition and symptoms at the beginning of treatment.
− The patient’s temperament.
− Any disorders comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD).
− The patient’s age. Younger people tend to respond more quickly, though that does not
affect the overall results.
− Any antidepressants the patient is taking. Some people have a better experience when
using TMS as a supplement to medication or other forms of therapy.
Unlike other depression treatments, such as medications, TMS is not associated with common
side effects of weight gain, sexual problems, fatigue, or memory loss. It is also much less
invasive than deep brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and other alternative
treatment options for depression.
Rochester Holistic Psychiatry chooses to use NeuroStar equipment made by Neuronetics.
Neuronetics is a publicly traded company based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, incorporated since
2003. Their mission is to invent and build devices that can be used for psychiatric treatments,
particularly those that are non-invasive and targeted toward people with disorders that have
proven treatment resistant. NeuroStar is right for Rochester Holistic Psychiatry because we
insist on the most sophisticated equipment available.
TMS is a perfect accompaniment to other treatments like talk therapy and cognitive behavior
therapy (CBT). We use it to treat MDD only at this time, although MDD is comorbid with many
other disorders, and they may be improved by TMS treatment targeted at their MDD.
Most major insurance carriers now cover TMS for MDD. See the NeuroStar website for the list
of insurance companies that currently cover TMS for MDD. If TMS is not covered by your
carrier, you can pay out of pocket and there are financing options available. The TMS treatment
we offer is administered only by prescription and only given by a licensed medical practitioner,
whether in an inpatient or outpatient situation.
For more information or to make an appointment, write to us on our website or call us at (585)
442-6960.
