(Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS)  

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive procedure using electromagnetic induction through a coil, to diagnose and treat neurological disorders such as paralysis, paresis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, migraine, and depression.

 

Stimulation through electromagnetic induction can be done in 2 ways:

1. Repetitive TMS uses high frequency stimulation applied for more than 1 cycle per second. Suitable for patients with paresis, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.

2. Single pulse TMS uses low frequency stimulation applied less than 1 cycle per second to help inhibit activity of the brain in migraine patients.

Indications for TMS:

Depression, mood instability after brain trauma, sudden and chronic pain, neuropathic pain, neurological disorders such as paralysis, paresis, Parkinson’s disease, and so on.

How it’s done:

Physicians will use the TMS device to stimulate patient’s brain once a day for 20-30 minutes. For best results, it is advised to receive treatment for 5-10 consecutive days. During the stimulation, physicians will observe and ask for feedback throughout the session.

Results

The magnetic stimulation is beneficial for the neural circuits in the brain and has a direct effect on neurotransmitters like serotonin; found to be related to migraine headaches, pain, stress, muscle tension, and depression.

Contraindications

Those with a pacemaker, those who have metal implants in the skull such as surgical clipping following a brain aneurysm or anywhere else in the body, and those with epilepsy.

Adverse effects

Warm sensation at the site of stimulation as the procedure can slightly increase intracranial temperature, headaches and scalp discomfort, nausea, and dizziness. More serious adverse effects include seizures and mood disturbances in

psychiatric patients.

What you need to know before the procedure

1. Your physician will inform you about the indications, contraindications, and general advice regarding TMS.

2. Before the actual procedure, your physician will stimulate your peripheral nerves to help you get accustomed to the sensation, strength, and rate of the stimulation used in TMS.

3. When you feel comfortable, your physician will continuously stimulate the brain area in rounds; corresponding to specific issues such as paralysis, paresis, and the opposite hemisphere for muscle weakness.

For more information please contact Vibhavadi Hospital Neuroscience Center

                                                                               Tel. 0-2561-1111 ext. 1214