If you’re considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for depression, one of your biggest questions is probably about how long the results will last. After investing time, energy, and hope into treatment, you want to know if the relief you experience will be temporary or lasting.
The good news? Research shows that TMS therapy provides durable results for many patients, with effects lasting months or even years after treatment. Let’s explore what the data tells us about TMS’s long-term success rates and what factors influence how long your results might last.
TMS therapy works by using magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. Unlike medication that requires daily use, TMS involves a series of treatment sessions over several weeks that can produce lasting changes in brain function.
During a typical course of TMS therapy, patients attend sessions five times per week for about six weeks. Each session lasts 19-37 minutes, depending on the specific protocol your doctor determines is right for you. As treatment progresses, many patients notice gradual improvements in their depression symptoms, including better energy, improved concentration, and enhanced overall mood.
Multiple studies have examined how long TMS therapy results last after patients complete their initial treatment course. The findings are encouraging for anyone considering this treatment option.
Approximately two out of three patients who responded to TMS therapy or achieved complete remission maintained their improvement 12 months after completing treatment. This means that the majority of people who benefit from TMS continue to feel better a year later without additional sessions.
Additionally, research indicates that only about one in three patients who complete TMS therapy need to return for maintenance sessions. This suggests that for many individuals, a single course of treatment provides sustained relief from depression symptoms.
Studies tracking patients over longer periods have found that many continue to experience benefits two years or more after their initial TMS treatment. While individual results vary, the data consistently shows that TMS offers more than just temporary symptom relief.
Several factors can affect how long your TMS results might last:
Response to Initial Treatment: Patients who experience complete remission during their initial course of TMS tend to maintain their results longer than those who see partial improvement. At Advantage TMS, about 75% of patients see at least a 50% improvement in depression symptoms, and these improvements often last for months or years.
Ongoing Mental Health Support: Combining TMS with other forms of mental health care can help extend your results. This is why Advantage TMS offers free group therapy sessions, both during treatment and after completion. Continuing to work on coping skills, stress management, and healthy thought patterns helps reinforce the positive changes TMS creates in your brain.
Lifestyle Factors: Your daily habits play a significant role in maintaining mental health improvements. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, good nutrition, and social connection all support long-term mental wellness. At Advantage TMS, we provide fitness trackers, nutritional guidance, and wellness support to help you build these healthy habits.
Life Stressors: Major life changes or stressful events can sometimes trigger depression symptoms to return, even after successful TMS treatment. Having a strong support system and healthy coping strategies in place helps you navigate these challenges while maintaining your progress.
While many patients maintain their results long-term after one course of TMS, some individuals benefit from occasional maintenance sessions. These are shorter treatment courses designed to preserve the improvements you’ve achieved.
Advantage TMS offers complimentary maintenance sessions to all patients who complete treatment. If you notice symptoms beginning to return, these sessions can help reinforce the positive changes in your brain before depression fully resurfaces.
Research shows that patients who receive maintenance TMS when needed often continue to experience sustained benefits. Think of maintenance sessions like tune-ups that keep your brain functioning at its best.
One advantage of TMS therapy is that it doesn’t require daily medication to maintain results. With antidepressants, symptoms typically return if you stop taking the medication. TMS, however, creates lasting changes in brain activity that persist after treatment ends.
For patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications or who haven’t found relief with multiple medication trials, TMS offers a compelling alternative with the potential for long-lasting results without ongoing daily treatment.
At Advantage TMS, we believe that maximizing the durability of your results involves more than just the magnetic stimulation itself. Our comprehensive approach includes several elements designed to support lasting improvement:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: We provide therapy and coping skill sessions free of charge while you’re in treatment and after you complete your program. These sessions help you identify and modify negative thought patterns that contribute to depression, creating mental habits that support long-term wellness.
Lab Work: We can order lab work to identify any vitamin deficiencies or abnormalities that might contribute to depression symptoms. Addressing these underlying issues helps support sustained improvement.
Follow-Up Care: We conduct monthly follow-ups after you complete treatment to monitor your progress and address any concerns early. This ongoing support helps catch potential symptom recurrence before it becomes significant.
Alumni Support: As an Advantage TMS alumni, you can continue participating in our group therapy sessions and monthly events like sound bowls, painting, and yoga. Staying connected with our supportive community helps maintain your mental health gains.
Most patients notice that their improvements stabilize in the weeks following their last TMS session. Some even continue to see gradual improvements for a month or two after treatment ends as the changes in brain function become fully established.
If you do experience some return of symptoms in the months or years following treatment, this doesn’t mean TMS “stopped working.” Depression is a complex condition, and various factors can influence your mental health over time. The positive news is that patients who respond well to an initial course of TMS typically respond well to additional treatment if needed.
The data on TMS therapy’s long-term success rates is compelling. With about two-thirds of patients maintaining their improvements a year after treatment, and many experiencing benefits that last even longer, TMS represents a valuable option for lasting depression relief.
At Advantage TMS, we’ve helped hundreds of patients over the past nine years find sustained relief from depression. Our comprehensive program combines cutting-edge TMS technology with therapy, lifestyle support, and ongoing care to maximize your chances of long-term success.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how TMS therapy can provide you with lasting relief from depression. We’re open 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8 am to 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, making it convenient to start your path toward sustained mental wellness.
Our office is closed December 25th for Christmas and January 1st for New Years Day. If you have any questions or urgent requests, please email us at info@advantagementalhealth.com.
Please fill out the form if you have a patient interested in learning more about TMS treatment. We appreciate the referral and partnership.
Next Steps:
• Our TMS Coordinator will contact the patient to schedule a complimentary information session.
• If the patient decides to seek TMS treatment with Advantage TMS, we will communicate with you when necessary and the patient will continue to work with you while receiving treatment.
Questions?
• Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 727-600-8093 or info@advantagementalhealth.com
