What is TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy (short for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive treatment for depression and anxiety that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain. It’s FDA-approved and effective for those who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
TMS therapy uses a specialized helmet with electro-magnetic coils that emit pulses, activating neurons in brain regions known to regulate mood. We offer both standard and accelerated TMS options to fit your needs and schedule. Many patients see significant improvements in mood and mental clarity after completing the treatment.
Is TMS Therapy Right For You?
TMS treatment is a powerful alternative to conventional treatments for depression.
Depression affects roughly 1 in 10 adults and 30% of all depression cases are resistant to treatments like medication and psychotherapy.1,2
Research suggests approximately 50% to 60% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience a clinically meaningful response to TMS treatment.3
TMS for depression is also an effective solution if you don’t want to risk side effects common to prescription medications.
TMS Therapy Testimonials
Clinical Results of Deep TMS Therapy for Depression
TMS Therapy Protocols
The benefits of TMS treatment accumulate over the course of a full
treatment schedule.
We offer two distinct TMS treatment protocols and schedules:
Standard TMS
36 sessions in 8-10 weeks
- Delivered once per day over the course of 8-10 weeks (36 total), depending on your specific diagnosis protocol
- Each treatment duration ranges from 8-22 minutes
- Standard TMS is approved and covered by most insurances
Accelerated TMS
50 sessions over 5 consecutive days
- 10 treatments per day, each spaced out by 50 minutes.
- Each treatment duration ranges from 8-22 minutes
- Accelerated TMS is not covered by insurance
What Does TMS Therapy Treat?
FDA-Cleared Treatments
Depression
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in regions of the brain associated with depression.
OCD
TMS is an effective solution for diminishing the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that contribute to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Smoking Addiction
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in specific regions of the brain, reducing tobacco cravings and increasing cognitive control.
Off-Label Treatments
- Bipolar Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Anxiety
- Neuropathic Pain
- Neurocognitive Disorder (Dementia)
- Tinnitus
- Post-Stroke Motor Dysfunction
- PTSD
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Syndrome
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Cocaine Use Disorder
- Tension Headaches
- Memory Enhancement
- Post-Stroke Aphasia
TMS Therapy Common Questions
Everybody’s mental healing journey is different, and that’s okay. TMS might be for you if you have not felt significant relief from medications and/or psychotherapy.
TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) administers non-invasive magnetic pulses to stimulate mood regulation. Although the magnetic pulses penetrate specific regions of the brain, the treatment is considered non-invasive because it does not require surgery or breaking the skin in any way. The FDA has approved TMS for the treatment of depression, OCD and smoking cessation.
Yes! You can continue taking your prescription once you begin TMS. Actually, we recommend it. Always be sure to communicate any dosage or medication changes with our team.
TMS dates back to 1985, and since its introduction, numerous clinical studies published in reputable journals have indicated both its safety and effectiveness.
A large post-marketing data analysis published in Psychiatry Research evaluated deep TMS in community settings and reported high response (81.6%) and remission rates (65.3%) after 30 sessions.
Ketamine and TMS are both effective treatments for major depression. Numerous clinical studies indicate the efficacy of ketamine for depression and TMS for depression. And a retroactive study comparing data from other trials found both therapies to be equally effective in the study’s limited sample. However, some studies do indicate that ketamine may induce faster relief, whereas TMS may lead to more sustained relief over a longer period.
Because the two treatments differ so substantially in application, it’s difficult to compare them in a 1:1 fashion.
At Hudson Mind, our certified psychiatrist and clinical team work with patients to determine the best course of treatment for every individual, considering medical history, symptoms, and goals.
Results tend to vary from patient to patient. But studies do show that patients who experience a significant reduction in symptoms are more likely to show continued positive response from anywhere between six months to one year after completion of treatment.
If your insurance covers TMS, it may reauthorize treatment after a six-month period in case any maintenance is needed.
TMS has shown promise in improving certain cognitive functions related to ADHD. A 2020 study assessing the efficacy of daily TMS treatments for adults with ADHD found the therapy to be safe and effective. Learn more about TMS for ADHD here.
TMS and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) are not the same treatment. ECT applies electrical currents to cause a seizure, which induces electrical and chemical changes in the brain. During ECT procedures, patients are typically given a general anesthetic so that they do not feel the discomfort from the electrical current. ECT is also associated with more significant side effects, including, in some cases, memory loss.
While TMS and ECT share some similarities in their use for treating major depressive disorder, they differ substantially in their mechanisms, procedures, and side effect profiles. ECT is more invasive with more significant side effects, whereas TMS is less invasive and better tolerated.
We do not administer ECT.
TMS is approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder, OCD, and smoking cessation.
TMS may also be administered off-label, meaning that it may be used to treat a different condition than what the FDA has already approved. TMS is commonly administered off-label for the following conditions: Bipolar depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, neuropathic pain, tinnitus, post-stroke motor dysfunction, PTSD, migraines, Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Syndrome, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, tension headaches and post-stroke aphasia.
We offer an accelerated TMS treatment course based on the SAINT TMS model developed by Stanford University School of Medicine. In research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, this accelerated model elicited a 78.6% remission rate among study participants.
During accelerated treatment, patients receive 50 TMS sessions (10 per day, with 50 minute breaks in between) over the course of 5 consecutive days. This differs from our standard treatment course, which calls for 36 sessions administered over 8-10 weeks.
Accelerated TMS is considered off-label, and therefore not covered by insurance.
Most patients report that TMS does not hurt, but the slight tapping sensation you’ll feel when the helmet emits a magnetic pulse may take some getting used to. Typically, discomfort dissipates over the course of treatment as your body gets acclimated. For anyone who does experience headache or scalp discomfort following a TMS treatment session, we recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil.
1) You have been clinically diagnosed with depression.
2) You have completed antidepressant trials with no significant results.
3) You have completed therapy trials with no significant results.
*Please note: Fidelis Medicaid plan does not cover TMS.
Several studies indicate that TMS can be safely administered alongside SSRIs, and the combination may even enhance therapeutic outcomes in patients with depression. Research also indicates that augmenting antidepressant medication with TMS therapy for major depression may elicit greater results.
We recommend talking to your doctor if you are unsure whether you should continue taking antidepressant medication during your TMS treatment course.
Many TMS patients who receive the treatment for depression are considered treatment-resistant, meaning they have tried two full courses of other treatments (like SSRIs) and still have depressive symptoms.
Before determining if a patient may be a good candidate for TMS, our clinical team also looks into their medical history to confirm that they do not have any contraindications that may put them at risk from treatment.
Patients who have the following conditions or circumstances may not be good candidates for TMS.
-Patients who have magnetic or metal plates or devices implanted in or around the head.
-Patients who have implanted electrical devices (anywhere in the body).
-Patients who have experienced a seizure or a medical condition that puts them at risk of a seizure.
-Patients who are pregnant or nursing
Have you been searching for, “TMS near me,” but still aren’t sure if this therapy is right for you and your symptoms? Speaking to a certified clinical provider is always recommended when you are exploring a new treatment. Certified providers can assess your candidacy based on your medical history and symptoms. If you’re looking for TMS in NYC, we offer both Standard and Accelerated treatment courses from our clinic in the heart of downtown Manhattan.
- Goodwin, Renee, et al. Trends in U.S. Depression Prevalence From 2015 to 2020: The Widening Treatment Gap, 19 Sept. 2022, doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.05.014.
- Zhdanava M, Pilon D, Ghelerter I, Chow W, Joshi K, Lefebvre P, Sheehan JJ. The Prevalence and National Burden of Treatment-Resistant Depression and Major Depressive Disorder in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 16;82(2):20m13699. doi: 10.4088/JCP.20m13699. PMID: 33989464
- Adam P. Stern, MD. “Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Hope for Stubborn Depression.” Harvard Health, 27 Oct. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-depression-2018022313335.
- Mitchell, Ross. “Deep TMS H1 Coil Treatment for Depression: Results from a Large Post Marketing Data Analysis.” BrainsWay, 25 Apr. 2023, www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/deep-tms-h1-coil-treatment-for-depression-results-from-a-large-post-marketing-data-analysis/.