Transcranial Magnetic 

Stimulation (TMS)
BY DENIRAE DAVIS
TMS was invented in the 1980’s by
Dr. Anthony Barker and other 
researchers at the University of
Sheffield.
They began researching the
effectiveness of TMS with
depression in the mid 90’s.
By 2008 TMS was approved as a
treatment for depression by the
FDA.
In 2018 OCD became another
approved diagnosis for TMS
treatment. (1)
 What is TMS?

TRANSCRANIAL
MAGNETIC STIMULATION
(TMS)
BY DENIRAE DAVIS
TMS is typically administered 5
days a week for 4-6 weeks.
Each treatment takes from 30-40
minutes. Patients can drive and
go about their normal lives after
treatments. (3)

There can be some side effects

of TMS such as
lightheadedness, muscle
twitching, headache, and
uncommonly seizures. Most
side effects are mild and fade
after the treatment is complete.
(4)
To get TMS approved through your
insurance you will likely have to have
tried multiple medications and
participated in talk therapy recently.

Generally, offices that offer TMS will

have a self pay option but it can be very
expensive.
WHO IS TMS APPROVED FOR? (BY THE FDA) (5)

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE OBSESSIVE- SMOKING CESSATION

DISORDER COMPULSIVE
DISORDER
TMS may no be for everyone.
Some studies suggest that only
58% of people who received
TMS found that it lessened their
symptoms of depression, while
37% reported remission of all
depressive symptoms. (2)

Since TMS is very expensive

many people would find it hard
to justify the cost for something
that might not get them the
results they desire.
 DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Works Cited

1. Admin. “TMS History.” NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Centers, 16 Mar. 2021,
www.hopeforyourbrain.com/tms-history/.
2. “How Successful Is TMS For Treating Depression?” Active Recovery TMS, 30 Oct. 2020,
Cloud
activerecoverytms.com/how-successful-is-tms/.
3. Mennitto, Donna. Frequently Asked Questions About TMS at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
in Baltimore, Maryland, 5 Feb. 2019,
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty_areas/brain_stimulation/tms/faq_tms.html.
Local
4. “Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, 27 Nov. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-
stimulation/about/pac-20384625.
5. “Which Conditions Is DTMS Officially Cleared to Treat?” BrainsWay, 10 Feb. 2021,
Hybrid
www.brainsway.com/professionals-faqs/what-mental-health-conditions-is-deep-tms-fda-
cleared-to-treat/.