Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a type of brain stimulation therapy.

Its a noninvasive treatment that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells, which may improve symptoms of neurological or mental health disorders.

TMS is mainly used to treat depression. Its had success helping people who dont respond to antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. In fact, in 2008 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TMS for this purpose.

Theres also some evidence that TMS may help other disorders, like anxiety and Parkinsons disease.

Since TMS uses repetitive electrical impulses, its sometimes called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The terms are often used interchangeably.

If youre curious about the benefits and side effects of TMS, read on.

The therapy is done by a TMS technician or TMS physician. Its an outpatient procedure, so it may be done in a medical clinic. If its done in a hospital, you wont need to stay overnight.

Before the procedure, youll need to remove items that are sensitive to magnets, like jewelry.

Heres what you can expect during TMS:

Youll need to repeat the procedure 5 days a week, for about 4 to 6 weeks. The exact length of your treatment depends on your response and specific condition.

There are many possible benefits of TMS therapy. Researchers are still studying the procedure, but it may help the following conditions:

TMS is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), sometimes simply called depression.

Its generally recommended for those who havent found relief from medication and psychotherapy. This is called treatment-resistant depression. Approximately 30 percent of people with depression dont respond to these treatments.

According to 2015 research, depression is linked to reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is involved with depression symptoms, like low energy levels and appetite changes.

TMS may help by stimulating nerve cells and increasing activity in this area.

TMS may improve symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The FDA approved TMS for OCD in 2018. As with depression, TMS is recommended if a person with OCD hasnt responded to medication and psychotherapy.

According to one study, people with OCD often have increased activity between the prefrontal cortex and striatum. This hyperconnectivity is associated with severe OCD symptoms.

TMS can be used to inhibit the activity in this part of the brain, thus reducing OCD symptoms.

As TMS treats psychological disorders like depression and OCD, it may also ease anxiety. Thats because these conditions often cause anxiety symptoms.

TMS could also be beneficial for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

In anxiety, theres often increased nerve cell activity in the prefrontal cortex. TMS may reduce the activity in this region, according to a 2019 study.

According to a 2019 review, TMS showed effectiveness for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As mentioned, TMS can target the prefrontal cortex, which regulates how you process fear and worry.

A 2018 trial found that TMS alongside cognitive processing therapy was effective for PTSD. The therapeutic effect of this combination lasted for 6 months.

Theres some evidence that TMS may help stroke rehabilitation.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, causing brain cells to die. This can result in long-term loss of muscle movement.

According to research, using TMS after a stroke could promote motor recovery. The idea is that the magnetic impulses can alter the activity of the motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls voluntary movement.

A 2017 article also shares that TMS may improve dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, by stimulating the motor cortex. They add that dysphagia affects 50 percent of people who have experienced a stroke.

Schizophrenia is a chronic, and often severe, psychiatric disorder.

A main symptom of the condition is auditory hallucinations, which affect 75 percent of people with schizophrenia.

According to a 2019 review, targeting the temporoparietal cortex could be beneficial for auditory hallucinations. This part of the brain, which is involved in language, is typically overactive in schizophrenia.

Parkinsons disease is a neurological disorder. It causes motor dysfunction, including tremors, balance issues, and freezing of gait. Freezing of gait occurs when you feel frozen and cant move while walking.

A 2020 study found that TMS may improve freezing of gait. According to the researchers, TMS normalized the connections between parts of the brain involved in gait freezing.

TMS might have benefits for Alzheimers disease, a form of dementia. This disorder causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

According to newer research, its thought that TMS could help Alzheimers disease by altering the neural connections involved in memory and learning. However, more research is necessary to understand how TMS can manage Alzheimers disease.

TMS could potentially improve chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. A 2017 analysis shares that it may help by stimulating the motor cortex and controlling neurotransmitters involved in pain.

Its worth noting that depression and chronic pain often occur together. Depression can worsen chronic pain, so TMS may help by treating depression symptoms.

Nicotine releases dopamine, also called the happy hormone. It sends signals to the reward system of your brain, including the prefrontal cortex, resulting in nicotine cravings and addiction.

According to a 2013 study, TMS could help reduce nicotine cravings by targeting the prefrontal cortex.

The researchers think that TMS promotes the release of dopamine, which reduces the need for nicotine.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the nervous system. It commonly causes spasticity, or muscle tightness that makes it difficult to move.

In a 2019 study, researchers used TMS on the motor cortex of people with MS. The treatment, combined with physical therapy, was found to decrease spasticity.

To date, TMS therapy has mostly been studied as a treatment for depression.

The success rate of TMS for depression is promising. Response rates for depression are between 30 and 64 percent.

More research is needed to understand the success rate for other medical conditions.

If you have depression, a doctor will likely recommend antidepressants and psychotherapy before TMS.

However, you may be a good candidate for TMS if you:

If youre young, TMS might be an ideal choice. Thats because younger people are more prone to developing adverse side effects from antidepressants.

TMS is considered safe, but its not for everyone.

You should avoid this treatment if you have metal in your head, such as:

The magnetic fields in TMS can make these implants heat up or move, which can cause serious injuries.

Its OK to get the treatment if you have braces or dental fillings.

You may also need to avoid TMS if you:

TMS side effects are uncommon. If complications do occur, they may include:

Symptoms like headaches and lightheadedness usually go away after several treatments.

Theres also the risk of seizures, but this side effect is rare. Theres a 0.1 percent risk of developing seizures during a course of TMS therapy.

One course of TMS can cost between $6,000 to $12,000 out of pocket.

Your health insurance provider might offer coverage, but this depends on your medical history. You may be required to try at least four antidepressants before receiving TMS coverage.

Alternatively, they might provide coverage if you experience negative reactions when using antidepressants.

If antidepressants and psychotherapy dont work for you, Medicare will cover TMS therapy.

Since youre expected to get treatment 5 days a week for multiple weeks, you may have to miss a few hours of work each day. This depends on your schedule, the location of the clinic, and the time of your appointments.

One session can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, so you may be able to do the treatment before or after work.

TMS targets the activity of nerve cells in your brain, which may alleviate depression symptoms. It could also have benefit for disorders like OCD, anxiety, and PTSD as well.

The procedure may even improve motor dysfunction, making it potentially helpful for Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke rehabilitation.

If youre interested in TMS, talk with a doctor. You may be a good candidate if youre young, have a low risk of seizures, and havent felt relief from antidepressants.

Link:
TMS Therapy: What It Treats, Benefits, Side Effects, and Costs - Healthline

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