Patients

Patient Preparations

• On treatment days, you can perform your normal daily activities prior to treatment, including driving to the Smart Brain offices and eating and drinking.
• It is advisable to check with your physician first before discontinuing any medication, including blood pressure and heart medication, as well as any medication for headaches and back pain.
• If you are accustomed to taking medication for moderate pain, it is advisable to continue taking this medication.
• Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol and Advil are usually sufficient for TMS side effects. If you use such medications, please bring the actual bottles to your treatment session.
• If you take such medication and it results in drowsiness, please ensure that you have someone who can drive you home after your session.

Your First Treatment Session

• It could last up to an hour and a half.
• You will receive a pair of protective earplugs which you must wear.
• The technologist will perform a test to identify your motor threshold. This is the amount of magnetic field strength applied that results in an involuntary movement of your right hand. This test is important as it identifies the magnetic field strength which will be used in your treatment.
• The technologist will then determine the place on your head where the treatment will be applied. The coil will be placed over this area.
• The technologist will administer the treatment over a 40-minute period.
• The device will deliver pulses of the magnetic field. This will feel like a tapping sensation on your scalp.
• If you feel any discomfort, the technologist will make adjustments to reduce your discomfort.
• During your treatment session, you can relax in the treatment chair. You will be awake and able to speak to the technologist whenever necessary.

Subsequent Treatment Sessions

• Most sessions will last approximately 40 minutes.
• The motor threshold test may be periodically repeated.

Side effects

• You may experience headaches and there may be some scalp discomfort during the treatment, which often improves as further treatment sessions are administered.
• You can treat this discomfort with an over-the-counter analgesic or the technologist can reduce the strength of the treatment in order to make you more comfortable.