Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, known as TMS or TMS for short, is a drug-free treatment technique performed by giving magnetic stimulation to the human brain through a coil. This magnetic stimulation creates a therapeutic effect by regulating (activating or inhibiting) the cortical centers of the human brain that are thought to be functionally impaired. Activation (increasing) or inhibition (suppression) is performed depending on the psychiatric disease and the symptoms displayed by the patient. The activation or inhibition process occurs through a series of changes made in the operating parameters of the device.
How is transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy applied?
The procedure is applied in the TMS application room at the appointment time determined by the physician who has received training. In each TMS session, the time between the patient's entry to the unit and his/her exit is approximately 45 minutes. Generally, 20 sessions are held, sessions are held every weekday. Depending on the situation, the treatment may be extended to 10 sessions. After the treatment course is completed, TMS can be repeated to maintain well-being, depending on the clinical situation. The number of sessions and frequency of the repeat cure are evaluated according to the TMS response.
The strength of the magnetic field may vary from patient to patient. For this purpose, a series of measurements are performed. During the measurement process, the current is increased until movement is observed in the thumb against the region of the brain related to muscle movements. This dose is called the motor stimulation threshold. The treatment dose usually varies between 80% and 120% of this threshold. In addition, a series of anthropometric measurements are made to determine the target brain region.
The application is divided into two: low frequency (1-5 beats per second) and high frequency (10-20 beats per second). This application varies depending on the disease.
Are treatments with transcranial magnetic stimulation the same for every psychiatric disease?
Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder or TMS, which is used in the treatment of some other psychiatric diseases, is applied with different parameters for each disease. The number of sessions also varies depending on the disease.
Are there any side effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment?
In rare cases, especially in the medical history It has been reported that it may trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. It should not be held closer than 60 cm to the fetus in pregnant women. It should not be applied to the ear area. If it is necessary to apply, a plug should be inserted. After TMS application, one in ten patients may experience a mild headache that resolves spontaneously within a few hours or with the use of a single dose of painkillers. Sleep disorders may rarely occur after TMS application. In patients who are planned to undergo TMS, a pacemaker, an artificial heart valve, a bullet or metal device in the head or neck, a tube or hearing aid in the ear, the possibility of pregnancy, a previous epileptic seizure, a family history of epilepsy, a history of stroke or another neurological disease. If there are conditions such as previous brain surgery, this must be reported.
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