Bridgeway Clinics

Deep TMS by BrainsWay: Brief Explanation
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or Deep TMS, is a noninvasive treatment developed by BrainsWay that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is FDA-cleared for certain mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, and is commonly used for people ages 15+ and pregnant women who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication and talk therapy. Deep TMS is covered by many insurance plans, although each plan has its own requirements for eligibility, prior authorization, and documentation. Treatment is done while the patient is awake and usually takes place in an outpatient clinic.
Possible Side Effects:
Deep TMS is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include mild to moderate headache, scalp discomfort, facial muscle twitching during treatment, and temporary fatigue. These effects usually improve shortly after the session or during the treatment course. Serious side effects are uncommon, but seizures are a rare potential risk, so patients are screened before treatment.
Remission: Deep TMS vs. Medication:
In depression treatment, “response” means symptoms improve significantly, while “remission” means symptoms are minimal or nearly gone. Reported BrainsWay Deep TMS study data have shown strong remission outcomes, including remission rates around 78% for an accelerated protocol and 87.5% for a standard protocol in one randomized study. Results vary by patient, but Deep TMS may be an effective option for people who have not responded well to medication and talk therapy alone.
Medication can also help patients reach remission, but it may require trying multiple medications or combinations, and some people experience only partial relief or side effects. Deep TMS may be considered when medication has not worked well enough, when medication side effects are difficult to tolerate, or when a non-drug treatment option is preferred. It may also be used together with medication as part of a treatment plan.