Express TMS Therapy
Express TMS, also called theta burst stimulation (TBS), uses a different treatment protocol (TBS) that shortens the treatment duration per session while providing a similar amount of brain stimulation as traditional TMS. Patients receive one session per weekday totaling 36 sessions spread over 4 – 6 weeks, but treatments are only 3 minutes each. The goal is to accelerate remission and/or reduce symptoms.
Express TMS is FDA-approved to induce strong and long-lasting effects using a lower stimulation intensity and a shorter time of stimulation. It is applied in 50 Hz triplet bursts five times per second. Pulses are delivered in a rapid cycle. This pattern is found to have an excitatory effect whose potency matches or exceeds the longer sessions of standard TMS.
Benefits of Express TMS
There are many benefits to Express TMS, including:
- An alternative to antidepressants
- Can be a stand-alone treatment or used along with current medication
- Fast in-office treatments
- FDA-approved with minimal side effects
- Highly effective in treating depression
- No anesthesia required
- No long-term side effects of memory loss as with ECT
- Non-invasive treatment
- Quick treatment: 3-minute sessions vs traditional TMS which is 19-37 mins
- Studies show TMS is at least 3 times more effective than medication
- The same high success rate as traditional TMS
- The same long-term results as traditional TMS
- Zero downtime
What To Expect with Express TMS
An initial consult with a clinician is required to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for the Express TMS® treatment. The first session is the Mapping Session, always performed by a physician in our center. This is where we will take measurements, mark the target treatment spot(s), and determine the appropriate stimulation intensity for you – your Motor threshold. Your customized setting is then programmed into the MagVenture TMS management system.
Depending upon your insurance coverage, the Mapping Session may be immediately followed by your first treatment.
During the treatment, magnets will generate a magnetic field and send pulses to the brain’s target site. You will hear clicking noises, similar to the sound of a MRI machine, and feel light taps on the scalp where the coil is stimulating the brain. You are fully awake for the treatment. Depending on the protocol, treatment sessions can vary, starting at 3 minutes. Most individuals cannot tolerate the goal stimulation strength on the first day, as it feels similar to mild scalp discomfort. This is why we usually start 5–10 points lower than the goal before gradually working up to your ideal.
Call 480-448-2916 to schedule a detailed evaluation.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator for a Free Consultation.
Our New Patient Coordinator is here to answer all your questions so you can make the most informed decision.
She can explain our treatment options and protocols, fees, insurance, and more. She can also schedule you for a consultation with one of our doctors.
From there, we can determine if you may benefit from MeRT or TMS treatment, and you can decide if you would like to move forward.
We hope you will consider getting more information. You deserve to live a life free from PTSD symptoms — and we want to help you do just that!
