Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasiveneurostimulation technique in which a changing magnetic field is used to induce an electric current in a targeted area of the brain through electromagnetic induction. A device called a stimulator generates electric pulses that are delivered to a magnetic coil placed against the scalp. The resulting magnetic field penetrates the skull and induces a secondary electric current in the underlying brain tissue, modulating neural activity.

Medical devices delivering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appear to provide reasonably safe and effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), chronic pain, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, evidence quality is variable, effect sizes are modest, and placebo responses are large; the extent of its efficacy and optimal treatment protocols are not certain.

Adverse effects of TMS appear rare and include fainting and seizure, which occur in roughly 0.1% of patients and are usually attributable to administration error.