What is Deep TMS?
TMS (or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a unique — noninvasive, outpatient, and well-tolerated — treatment option for people who face mental health challenges. TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate parts of the brain and activate neural pathways in order to improve depressive symptoms. In 2013, BrainsWay was cleared by the FDA for its revolutionary Deep TMS technology after proving to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). BrainsWay’s Deep TMS can reach broader and deeper brain regions than any other commercially available TMS system. BrainsWay’s patented H-coils are what make Deep TMS unique — maximizing the effectiveness of each session while maintaining safe stimulation levels. BrainsWay is also the only TMS system to get FDA clearance for the treatment of OCD, proving its technology is truly one of a kind and revolutionizing the treatment of mental illnesses.
How Does Deep TMS Therapy Work?
The BrainsWay Deep TMS treatment is a noninvasive, outpatient procedure consisting of short, 20-minute sessions. The person receiving treatment sits in a comfortable chair and is fitted with a helmet-like device. There is no anesthesia or sedation necessary and patients are able to drive themselves to and from treatment sessions.
During the 20-minute sessions, patients experience knocking sounds and feel tapping on their head and are able to speak and use their phones during the sessions. The standard treatment protocol is of 20-minute sessions five times a week for four-six weeks and later — biweekly for up to 12 weeks as needed for maintenance. BrainsWay Deep TMS is not only a noninvasive option for patients with OCD and MDD that cannot tolerate the side effects of medications, but it also has shown to be effective for medication-resistant patients.
Is Deep TMS Safe?
BrainsWay’s Deep TMS is a well-tolerated and proven technology that has no systemic side effects. Most patients don’t feel anything during or after the treatment other than a tapping or knocking sensation. Some patients may feel discomfort or pain at the application site or jaw area. However, adjustment of the helmet can often relieve the negative sensations. Additionally, the pain or discomfort associated with the treatment usually gets better or goes away completely with successive treatments.
When comparing BrainsWay’s Deep TMS to other Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder treatments, it is incredibly valuable to point out that it is among the only choices of treatment that doesn’t have any systemic side effects. Millions of people give up on finding a treatment that works after being unresponsive to antidepressants or experiencing severe side effects from them. BrainsWay Deep TMS is a significant improvement in the field of medical technology, shown to be effective for treatment-resistant patients and presents no systemic side effects.
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