Psychiatrics mental health nursing across the lifespan
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and what conditions does it treat? How TMS works? What are the risks, benefits, and side effects?
Sample Answer
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp. This coil delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood control and depression.
Conditions Treated:
- Major Depressive Disorder: TMS is an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder, particularly when other treatments like medication and psychotherapy have not been effective.
- Other Conditions: While primarily used for depression, research is ongoing to investigate the use of TMS for other conditions, such as:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)