TMS
1. What is TMS Technology?
TMS Technologies is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. You simply have to wear a helmet like cap on your head that passes magnetic field and energy to the neurons of your brain. It stimulates these brain cells to help remove depression.
2. Beside Depression what other medical problems can TMS help?
Some of the new ongoing studies are looking at treatments of Obsessive Compulsive Behavior, Attention Deficit [ADD]. It has been proven to be effective for following:
• Alzheimer’s
• Autism
• Bipolar disorder
• Chronic pain
• Major depressive disorder
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia (negative symptoms)
• Smoking cessation
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Behavior)
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Multiple Sclerosis
3. I Have already tried different types of medication and had poor results - will TMS Technologies be any better?
Studies have shown TMS Technologies treatment to be effective for patients with depression, regardless of how many medications were tried in the current episode of depression.
4. Has TMS Technology been tested ?
TMS Technologies has been tested in over over 60 clinical studies (some listed below) for various indictions in leading institutions worldwide. The FDA has cleared this technology for clinical use and it is currently available in the U.S. , Europe, and South America.
5. Does TMS Technologies treatment entail any side effects or risks?
TMS Technologies treatment has been proven safe and effective, and has no known systemic effects (effects deriving from medication entering the bloodstream and circulating throughout the body). The most common side effects are headaches and occasional local discomfort, both usually temporary & mild. Other side effects may include muscle twitching and jaw pain, also temporary & mild.
6. How does TMS Technology treatment compare with ECT ?
ECT [Electric Current Therapy] is a treatment based on electrically induced seizures, whereas TMS [Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation] Technology treatment stimulates brain regions using brief magnetic pulses similar to those used in MRI Systems, without inducing seizures . ECT requires anesthesia and has severe side effects. Including , memory loss. TMS Technologies does not involve anesthesia and has no effects on memory and is generally well tolerated
7. What will I feel during the treatment session?
Typically patients hear a tapping sound and feel a tapping sensation in the head area during the 20 minute - treatment . To diminish the sound , the patient is provided with earplugs.
8. How much it will cost me ?
Most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid [Mass Health] cover it. So there is NO COST out of your pocket. We will get prior approval from your insurance to make sure they cover the entire treatment of 36 sessions 20 minutes each. Once approved we set up treatment dates.
LIST OF SOME OF THE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES REGARDING TMS
1. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry 2005;62(6):617-627.
2. Rush AJ, Trivedi MH, Wisniewski SR, Nierenberg AA, Stewart JW, Warden D, et al. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: A STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry 2006;163(11):1905–1917.
3. Fabbri C, Marsano A, Balestri M, De Ronchi D, Serretti A. Clinical features and drug induced side effects in early versus late antidepressant responders. J Psychiatr Res 2013;47(10):1309-1318.
4. FDA 510(k) No. K122288.
5. Levkovitz Y. et al. Ef cacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: a prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled trial. World Psychiatry 2015; Vol.14, 64-73.
6. Levkovitz Y, Harel EV, Roth Y, Braw Y, Sheer A Katz L, Gersner R and Zangen A. (2009) Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex – Effectiveness in major depression. Brain Stimulation 2: 188-200.
7. Isserles M, Rosenberg O, Dannon P, Lerer B and Zangen A (2011) Cognitive emotional reactivation during deep transcranial magnetic stimulation over the prefrontal cortex of depressive patients affects antidepressant outcomes. Journal of Affective Disorders 128: 235-242.
8. Harel EV, Rabany L, Deutsch L, Bloch Y, Zangen A, Levkovitz Y. H-coil repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment resistant major depressive disorder: An 18-week continuation safety and feasibility study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2014;15(4):298-306.
9. Lawrence Park, AM, MD. (2011). Risks and Side Effects of ECT. Psych Central. Retrieved on December 3, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/risks- and-side-effects-of-ect/0007365
10. Culminating in Brainsway's MDD Multicenter study: Levkovitz Y. et al. Ef cacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: a prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled trial. World Psychiatry 2015; Vol.14, 64-73.
