Exploring Types of TMS and Their Benefits

You’ve tried talk therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes, but nothing seems to help. Depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD can be stubborn like that.

Fortunately, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help both conditions.

This innovative, painless, noninvasive therapy complements your other treatments and breaks the barrier between you and remission. 

Our experts at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness in Golden and Denver, Colorado, specialize in TMS and have dedicated themselves to fine-tuning the process and finding the most effective platform.

This guide to the various types of TMS can help you make an educated decision about which to try for your treatment-resistant depression or OCD.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) overview

TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in your brain. We use it to treat stubborn depression that doesn’t respond to other approaches, but it’s also effective for other mental health conditions, like obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

During the treatment, we place an electromagnetic coil against your scalp. The coil sends magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions that are involved in mood control and depression.

Here’s a look at the various types of TMS.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

rTMS is the most common form of TMS. It delivers repetitive magnetic pulses to specific brain regions. 

Typically, rTMS sessions last 3-19 minutes and require 30-36 sessions for a full treatment course. The magnetic coil can be shaped differently, usually as a figure-eight, and is placed on your scalp at predetermined locations.

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS)

Deep TMS (dTMS) goes a step further by using an H-shaped coil housed within a helmet. It allows for deeper and more diffuse stimulation into your brain tissue. dTMS has additional FDA clearances for treating OCD and smoking cessation.

Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS)

iTBS is another type of TMS that uses a more advanced stimulation pattern called theta-burst. This technique delivers rapid triple pulsation bursts at a higher frequency over a theta rhythm. iTBS sessions are incredibly short, often completed in just three minutes.

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS)

Navigated TMS uses 3D spatial cameras to track your head movements and the TMS coil to ensure that the coil stays on target, improving the quality and control of your treatment. 

Advanced nTMS may also use MRI data to locate the exact treatment area.

Accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS)

Accelerated TMS allows multiple TMS sessions in a single day, reducing the entire treatment course to just five days. While not yet FDA-cleared, accelerated TMS is gaining traction due to its potential for rapid results.

How BrainsWay’s deep TMS stands out

At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, we offer BrainsWay dTMS for several reasons. 

The magnetic action reaches farther and deeper

BrainsWay’s deep TMS uses an H-coil design that reaches a broader surface area and stimulates deeper brain structures than traditional rTMS. 

Traditional rTMS relies on a figure-8 coil, reaching a depth of 0.27 inches. In contrast, dTMS uses an H-coil helmet that reaches 1.25 inches, covering a broader surface area and stimulating more brain regions.

This broader scope of activation reduces the likelihood of missing relevant brain structures.

It works better

Studies show that deep TMS is more effective in treating moderate-to-severe depression than traditional rTMS, and that patients report higher rates of response when combining deep TMS with medication.

The FDA approves

The FDA gave clearance to deep TMS for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2013, for OCD in 2018, and for smoking cessation in 2020. Deep TMS also received the European CE certification mark for treating other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and bipolar disorder.

Why consider TMS?

We can point you to several studies and many patients who can vouch for the efficacy of TMS, but the best way to know if it’s right for you is to try it. Here are some of the perks of this innovative treatment.

It’s noninvasive 

Unlike other treatments that require surgery or medication, TMS involves no cuts or pills. 

It has very few side effects

Most people experience only mild discomfort at the treatment site, such as a tapping sensation or mild headache. These side effects usually subside shortly after the session.

It works where other treatments have failed

If you haven’t found relief through traditional treatments like medication or therapy, TMS offers a promising alternative. 

To schedule an appointment, call Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness or book online to find out if you’re a good candidate for transcranial magnetic stimulation.