How Long Does TMS Last? What is Maintenance TMS Therapy?

“I committed to the 6-week treatment and I now can look in the mirror and see a person that is not depressed. Truly remarkable. Before this, I was so filled with sadness, despair and frustration. No more. I feel somewhat confident that it will stick, but I am super happy that I can go back after a while for another round of treatment if I begin to slip.........Be realistic - I'm not dancing in the streets gifting flowers to strangers, but I have been given room to live the life that I have wanted for so long....” Matt N

Matt, a recent patient, expresses a common concern of a potential relapse in depression after completing a course of TMS. Fortunately, most patients experience an extended period of relief and significant reduction in depressive symptoms after TMS for at least 6-12 months. For less, this period of relief is shorter or they may not experience full remission of symptoms. Matt’s comments highlight the comfort that comes with knowing he can always return for another course of treatment or utilize maintenance TMS sessions if his depression returns.

How Long Does TMS Last?

“The duration of the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can vary from person to person. On average, studies have shown that two out of three patients will maintain their response for up to twelve months after the treatment. Data beyond this time frame is sparse, but there are many patients who have reported remission of symptoms for more than twelve months. The speed and extent of your response to the treatment seem to be correlated with its duration. If you respond well to your first round of TMS and if you respond earlier during the course of treatment, you are likely to experience longer-lasting results. Furthermore, if repeat treatment is needed at some point, there is a high likelihood of retreatment success. Approximately 80% to 90% of patients seeking retreatment experience a repeat response.” - Dr. Clinch

If you’re considering TMS therapy or worrying that the relief you are experiencing from TMS won’t last, what's next?

The largest patient registry currently shows 69% response and 36% remissionafter an initial TMS course. We see slightly better results at our clinic; 75% response and 45% remission. A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2018, found that among initial responders, 66.5% sustained response at 3 months, 52.9% at 6 months, and 46.3% at 12 months.

Response to treatment 1 year out with maintenance TMS as needed further improved results with 67% response and 45% remission.

Maintenance TMS is an individualized schedule of treatments agreed upon with your provider after completing a full course of treatment. Depending on the patient, the frequency of maintenance treatments ranges from multiple treatments a week to once a month. The frequency of maintenance treatments can also change depending on depressive symptoms. As noted above, a repeat course of TMS is also an option for patients who experience a relapse in symptoms. Of patients that needed an additional course of TMS or maintenance treatment, 84.2% of them responded to retreatments and saw a reduction in their depressive symptoms once again. This indicates that repeat or maintenance TMS therapy can be utilized to get patients feeling well again.

Many patients benefit from continued remission for considerably longer than twelve months. With that said, each patient is unique and the response to TMS varies individually. 

TMS maintenance is not recommended for every patient and will be assessed on a case by case basis by Dr. Clinch. Ultimately, maintenance treatment is not covered by insurance and currently at Inspire TMS Denver, we charge $75 per maintenance treatment. How much does TMS cost? →