Your First Appointment
The first step is determining whether or not TMS is right for you. TMS Neuro Institute will work together with you to determine if you are a candidate and qualify for TMS Therapy treatment.
TMS Neuro Institute created a TMS Therapy Self-Assessment , to find out if you qualify for treatment!
If TMS therapy is determined right for you, the treatment session will usually last about 30 to 40 minutes. This is what will take place during the treatment session:
- Dr. Musher, or one of our psychiatrists, will determine the appropriate placement and energy settings of the treatment coil.
- Next, a test is performed to determine the “motor threshold,” which is unique to each patient. During this test, a magnetic pulse will be repeatedly given to identify the correct strength to move the fingers of your right hand. From there, the coil is moved forward to the left frontal lobe of the brain, specifically the Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal Cortex, and the energy levels are adjusted.
- During the treatment session you will be able to sit reclined, awake and alert. You can watch television, listen to music or simply relax.
- The TMS device will deliver 40 rapid MRI-strength magnetic pulses over four seconds. The pulses make a loud clicking sound so ear protection or ear plugs are required. The pulses feel like a tapping on the scalp but without the sensation of anything touching the skin. The same four-second sequence is repeated two to three times per minute. The session typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes.
- Afterwards, our highly trained technicians will perform follow-up treatment sessions by using the settings initially determined by Dr. Musher.
- The standard course of treatment involves sessions for five days per week for six weeks. However, this can vary depending on a patient’s response to the treatment. A tapering set of treatments is sometimes used to ensure your improvement.
- As you progress through your therapy, Dr. Musher and the TMS Neuro Institute staff will regularly assess your progress and determine the number of treatments.
TMS therapy is non-invasive, which means it doesn’t involve surgery and is an outpatient procedure. No drugs are used so, after treatment, you can drive and resume your normal day. You may experience a headache or slight irritation on the scalp at the treatment site.