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TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

What is TMS Therapy®?

TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is used to treat depression by stimulating the brain non-invasively using electromagnetic fields, similar to those produced by an MRI machine. During TMS Therapy, a magnetic field is administered in very short pulses to the part of the brain that research has demonstrated to be associated with depression. The typical initial course of treatment is about 37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks.

NeuroStar TMS Therapy is:
1. Non-invasive, meaning that it does not involve surgery. It does not require any anesthesia or sedation, as the patient remains awake and alert during the treatment.
2. Non-systemic, meaning that it is not taken by mouth and does not circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body.

Is TMS Therapy like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

No, the two procedures are very different. While both are effective in the treatment of depression, there are many differences in safety and tolerability.

During the TMS Therapy procedure, patients sit in a chair and are awake and alert throughout the entire 37-minute procedure – no sedation is used with TMS Therapy. Patients can transport themselves to and from treatment.

In over 10,000 active treatments with NeuroStar TMS Therapy in clinical trials, no seizures were observed. TMS Therapy was also shown to have no negative effects on memory function in these studies.

In contrast, "shock therapy," or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intentionally causes a seizure. Patients receiving ECT must be sedated with general anesthesia and paralyzed with muscle relaxants. Recovery from an ECT treatment session occurs slowly, and patients are usually closely monitored for minutes or a few hours after a treatment.

Short-term confusion and memory loss are common in ECT, and long-term disruptions in memory have been shown to occur and may persist indefinitely in some people. Because of the side effects associated with ECT, a significant amount of caregiver support is required.

What is a typical course of treatment with NeuroStar TMS Therapy?

In clinical trials, patients received NeuroStar TMS Therapy 5 times per week for 37 minutes sessions over 4-6 weeks.

Patients treated with NeuroStar TMS Therapy should receive treatment for a minimum of four weeks with additional treatments based on clinical judgment.

What TMS services are offered by The Arroyos^® Psychological Associates?

TAPA provides psychoeducation about TMS and screening to determine whether or not TMS may be right for a patient. If appropriate, we will refer the patient to a psychiatrist that prescribes TMS treatment. Dr. Valone is an expert in TMS and a partner of San Gabriel Valley TMS Associates, LLC, which provides TMS equipment and management and organization services to psychiatrists in the San Gabriel Valley.

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