HOW TMS TREATMENT WORKS
OVERVIEW
The Deep TMS therapy session at New Brain Institute is a short outpatient procedure that lasts about 20 minutes. During treatment, you relax in a comfortable chair. You can speak with the system operator whenever necessary. After the procedure, you can immediately return to your normal routine, or relax in our waiting room as long as you like.
YOUR FIRST TREATMENT SESSION AT NEW BRAIN INSTITUTE
Because our psychiatrist needs to determine how to most effectively administer treatment, your first session could last up to an hour. You will be provided with protective earplugs as the system emits a tapping sound during operation.
Our psychiatrist will perform a test to identify your motor threshold, which is the amount of magnetic field strength that results in a movement of your right thumb. This test is important because it identifies the magnetic field strength that will be used in the treatment. It is the minimal amount of electric field necessary to stimulate the brain. This field strength is customized for each patient, to deliver the correct treatment dose at the specific area of your brain, which is targeted for depression. This allows you to receive optimal treatment.
The Deep TMS therapy is administered over a 20-minute period in 30-second intervals. The device delivers rapid pulses of magnetic fields and these feel like tapping on your scalp. Some patients might find this tapping uncomfortable. Your physician may be able to make adjustments to reduce this discomfort.
THE TREATMENT COURSE
After the first session, the treatment course at the New Brain Institute requires 20-minute sessions, five times a week, for five to six weeks. You may drive and resume your normal activities immediately following each treatment session. There is no downtime.
During or after treatment, you may experience a headache or discomfort at the site of the stimulation. These are common side effects, which usually improve as further treatment sessions are administered. If necessary, you can treat this discomfort with an over-the-counter medication such as Motrin. If the side effects persist, your doctor can temporarily reduce the strength of the magnetic field pulses being administered in order to make treatment more comfortable.
In clinical trials, most patients who benefited from TMS therapy experienced results by the fourth week of treatment. Some patients may experience results in less time while others may take a little longer. You should discuss your depression symptoms with your physician throughout the treatment course.
It is important to maintain the existing circumstances throughout the treatment. No changes in medications are advised, or our physician should be notified. For best results, it is best but not an absolute requirement, that the therapy be administered at the same time every day. If there are any changes in sleep, emotional stress, amount of caffeine, including or any other changes in daily habits including a haircut, these should be reported to the physician. Keeping things the same will help to ensure the best outcome.
2019 Head to Head Study
BrainsWay is very excited to share results from a recent head-to-head study. This independent 228-patient randomized controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that our Deep TMS System, combined with medication, is significantly superior to medication alone for treating major depressive disorder (MDD).
- The remission rate for both the dTMS (H1-coil) group (59.7%) and the standard rTMS (figure 8-coil) group (42.7%) was significantly higher than with the control group (11.1%) in the ITT population
- The response rate was significantly greater with dTMS plus pharmacotherapy (66.7%) than with standard rTMS plus pharmacotherapy (44.0%)
- The mean reduction of HAM-D17 was 59% in the dTMS group, 41% in the standard rTMS group, and 17% in the control group
For more information, please see the published press release on the latest news, which can be found here: Press Release
