Salveo Integrative Health uses BrainsWay’s Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS™) which is a unique, non-invasive treatment that utilizes magnetic fields to treat various mental health conditions, by effectively regulating the neural activity of brain structures found to be associated with those conditions. FDA-cleared to treat both depression and OCD, Deep TMS has been shown to be well-tolerated and proven effective in alleviating adverse symptoms.
During the Deep TMS treatment process, a padded helmet is fitted over the patient’s head. The helmet then sends out magnetic pulses that influence the neural activity of the relevant brain structures. The non-invasive treatment process does not require anesthesia and each session lasts about 20 minutes, allowing you to incorporate them into your daily routine.
IS TMS RIGHT FOR YOU?
What is Deep TMS?
Proven To Be Effective
A growing body of research has found Deep TMS to successfully alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions. These studies use gold-standard benchmarks, such as randomized, double-blind protocols and in-depth analyses, to reach solid, evidence-based conclusions. They have been published in such well-regarded journals as The American Journal of Psychiatry, World Psychiatry and the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
Due to its success in offering symptom relief and its favorable safety profile, Deep TMS has already been granted FDA clearance to treat both major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We do offer MDD and OCD TMS treatments in our Lawrenceville office—both of which are covered by most commercial insurances at this time.
Deep TMS has been shown to be even more effective in real-life clinical settings —often as an adjunct form of therapy together with other treatments, such as antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Based on the recorded data of over 1000 participants undergoing Deep TMS treatment for MDD, 75% achieved a clinical response, with one in two achieving remission.
In addition to depression, Deep TMS has also been FDA-cleared (De Novo) to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Its efficacy in treating this condition was demonstrated in a 2019 publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The study utilized the Y-BOCS rating scale, considered the gold standard tool used by psychologists and psychiatrists to measure the severity of OCD.
A “response rate” was defined as a reduction of at least 30% of the subjects’ symptoms after undergoing Deep TMS therapy, and a “partial response rate” was defined as a reduction of at least 20%. The study found that Deep TMS treatment offers significant clinical improvement for treatment-resistant patients, with more than half of patients achieving a partial response, and about a third of patients achieving a response.
The study demonstrated efficacy even among patients who had previously been found unresponsive to either psychotherapy or medication—which make up a large percentage of those battling OCD. Furthermore, these patients’ improvement was sustained for several weeks following the treatment’s conclusion.
A 2015 study published in World Psychiatry highlighted Deep TMS’s effect on treatment-resistant participants with MDD. The study, aggregating data from 20 academic medical centers, concluded that Deep TMS treatment led to remission in roughly one in three participants following the acute phase’s four weeks of treatment. Study participants were treatment-resistant patients who had previously not significantly benefited from antidepressant medication. Results from this study were considered so conclusive as to earn Deep TMS its first FDA clearance status.
Deep TMS and Depression
Deep TMS and OCD
Source: Brainsway
Source: Brainsway
Source: Brainsway
Deep TMS is a well-tolerated treatment option with a favorable safety profile. The Deep TMS system is operated by trained professionals required to follow specific guidelines that are designed to ensure the patient’s safety. It is a non-invasive treatment course that is not associated with any systemic side effects. Extra care is provided to facilitate a comfortable experience for the patient.
A 2019 study published by the Journal of Psychiatric Research underscored Deep TMS’s advantages, by finding that a combination of Deep TMS with antidepressant medication was a safe treatment course that offered significant greater symptom relief than antidepressant medication alone. These results show that Deep TMS has the ability to enhance existing therapies, while offering its own unique advantage when treating issues of mental health.
Possible Deep TMS Side Effects
Favorable Safety Profile
Individuals undergoing Deep TMS treatment may experience a mild headache or scalp discomfort during the procedure itself, with some reporting a tapping sensation in the targeted area. Generally, side effects such as headaches that may arise following the Deep TMS procedure are mild and tend to pass within a short amount of time. There is also a very rare risk of seizure associated with the treatment.
Side effects prevalent with other treatments like weight gain, sexual dysfunction or memory effects were not observed in patients following Deep TMS treatment.
Patients with magnetic metal plates or devices implanted in or around their heads (this does not include standard amalgam dental fillings).
Patients with implanted electronic devices in their bodies.
Patients who have undergone a seizure, a medical condition or change in a medical condition that may put them at increased risk of having a seizure.
Additional Safety and Risk Information
All individuals considering Deep TMS are encouraged to discuss this treatment with their doctor, to determine whether this treatment is right for them.
Out of concern for their personal safety, individuals included in the following categories should not undergo Deep TMS treatment:
Insurance Coverage
Is TMS covered by insurance?
As a result of medical breakthroughs in the mental health field and an increased demand for innovative treatments, many insurance providers now offer coverage for Deep TMS.
A safe, effective, non-invasive, and FDA-cleared approach, Deep TMS is being seen as part of a new wave of therapies for medication-resistant patients searching for a path that works for them.
Deep TMS treatment is covered differently by insurance providers around the world. In the United States, where Deep TMS has been FDA-cleared since 2013, coverage is widely available for the treatment of MDD. We estimate that over 90% of the total private insurer adult covered lives in the United States have coverage for MDD treatment with Deep TMS. In addition, Deep TMS for MDD treatment is generally eligible for reimbursement from Medicare.
Deep TMS for OCD may currently be eligible for reimbursement on a single case agreement basis. However, we are working to broaden the scope of reimbursement coverage for Deep TMS to include OCD treatment, based on the unmet clinical need and the efficacy and safety profile of the treatment.
Where covered by insurance, treatment will generally require prior authorization and patients may incur a co-pay per treatment session, as specified by their insurance plan. Patients whose plan does not stipulate Deep TMS coverage can nevertheless speak with their mental health provider, as in some cases single-case opportunities can be made available to cover treatment costs.
Call Salveo Integrative Health TMS Department at 770-910-9196 EXT. 500 or email TMS@salveohealth.org to discuss your insurance options and/or set up a consultation.
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS™), is a noninvasive treatment process that directly stimulates brain structures associated with mental health conditions. This is done utilizing electromagnetic fields generated by the patented H-coil to safely reach deeper brain structures and influence their neural activity.
Deep TMS treatment utilizes BrainsWay’s patented H-Coil technology to regulate brain activity and improve patients’ mental health and well-being. During the procedure, a helmet holding the H-coil is fitted over the patient’s head before sending magnetic pulses to targeted areas of the brain. Deep TMS is a noninvasive procedure where patients can catch up on their reading or social media during sessions. Patients will experience a light tapping sensation on their scalp during the treatment. Each session takes about 20 minutes, after which patients can drive themselves and go about their daily routine.
How does Deep TMS work?
BrainsWay Deep TMS has been tested in over 60 clinical studies, for various clinical indications, in leading institutions worldwide. The FDA has cleared BrainsWay Deep TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression and it is currently available in the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia.
Deep TMS is also indicated by the FDA as an intended adjunct treatment for adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) FDA De Novo, and for the treatment of short-term smoking cessation in adults, 510(k).
In the studies, Brainsway Deep TMS + Medication results in a 60% remission rate compared to medication alone at 11%. In a 2023 data collection study, Brainsway reports 2/3 of patient achieve remission of depression symptoms and 82% of patients achieve a significant clinical response.
How has this therapy been tested?
BrainsWay’s Deep TMS™ therapy is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation – for the treatment of MDD and OCD – that does not require surgery or implantation of electrodes. It does not require sedation with anesthesia like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). BrainsWay Deep TMS treatment is performed in an outpatient setting by a physician or trained technician that has been specifically certified to operate the BrainsWay system.
BrainsWay’s transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy is known to be well-tolerated and does not entail systemic side effects. The most common transcranial magnetic stimulation side effects are temporary, mild pain or discomfort around the treatment site, typically occurring within the first week of treatment. TMS side effects usually manifest as headaches in about half of patients treated with BrainsWay’s therapy. Those that have been reported are mild and generally diminish over the course of the treatment. Over-the-counter pain medication can be utilized to treat this type of pain.
Other less frequent side effects may include muscle twitching and jaw pain during treatment. A small percentage of patients may experience painful scalp sensations or facial twitching due to the deep TMS pulses. These, too, tend to weaken over the course of treatment, and adjustments can be made by the system operator to the helmet’s positioning and stimulation settings to diminish discomfort to the patient. While there is a rare risk of seizures associated with all forms of TMS, this risk is less than or comparable to seizure rates experienced with antidepressant medication.
It should be noted that BrainsWay’s TMS side effects do not include many of those which are associated with antidepressant medications, including nausea, increased appetite, weight gain, loss of sexual desire, fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and more. Furthermore, unlike ECT, patients experience no temporary loss of memory function during or after TMS treatment.
BrainsWay and its licensed medical practitioners follow up-to-date safety guidelines that are designed to minimize the risk of side effects. As stated above, the treatment option is generally well-tolerated but there are always risks to every treatment option.
Are there any side effects?
It is recommended that you undergo treatments lasting 18-25 minutes daily for 7-11 weeks.
Speak with your TMS coordinator about your clinic’s schedule flexibility.
Do I have to do TMS every day?
"TMS is a miracle treatment. It is tough to start with and took some time to get the settings right for me to get the machine in the right place. But after a few treatments it was smooth sailing for the rest of the way. TMS has been the deciding factor to treat my long term chronic depression which has been resistant to meds and psychotherapy alone. I recommend treatment highly."
"The staff was welcoming and understanding, and worked with us to make sure everything was in order and that TMS was the right choice indeed. I have been able to get back to doing things I used to enjoy. I can focus on moving forward."
"I would have to rate the Lawrenceville location a 5. Dr. Hashmi is a wonderful doctor. He truly listened to me and cared about what I had to say. I also done TMS with Lindsay and she's the best! She's down to earth, she cares about you and she is willing to help in every way she can."
"The TMS therapy has truly made a difference. Lindsay is the best tech I've ever worked with."
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