TMS has several advantages when compared with ECT
With the advent of TMS, patients who may have considered ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) now have the option of a safer, non-invasive procedure to help treat their major depression. ECT is administered in a hospital and the patient must be anesthetized for the procedure. An ECT treatment induces a mild seizure which stimulates the entire brain. While ECT can be a very effective treatment in certain circumstances, it is accompanied by some significant side effects including memory impairment and complications related to anesthesia.
In contrast, TMS is an outpatient procedure administered in our Sacramento TMS offices. There is no need for any sedation nor anesthesia, and patients remain fully awake and alert during the painless treatment. Patients may drive themselves to and from their appointments and often enjoy conversation during the 37-minute procedure. Because TMS is a precisely targeted treatment, only the left prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain associated with mood) is affected, eliminating the risk of cognitive impairment or memory loss.