Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression, or TMS, is an FDA-Approved, breakthrough treatment for patients with depression (also known as Major Depressive Disorder-MDD) that are not satisfied with their current medications.
Many patients with depression have a partial response to medication treatment or have intolerable side effects. TMS therapy in Little Rock is an effective and non-invasive treatment that is safe and well-tolerated without the need to add or change any medications.
TMS uses precisely targeted magnetic energy to pulse the areas of the brain that are under-active in patients with depression. TMS therapy in Little Rock is performed in the clinic as an outpatient treatment with most patients comfortably spending the time watching TV, listening to music, or talking with their family during their sessions. Family members are encouraged to remain in the TMS suite if so desired.
Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic is the largest provider of outpatient psychiatric services in the state and we are excited to continue offering this effective treatment available to our clients.
Most insurance plans will cover TMS services after a detailed consultation to determine qualifications. Please call to find out more information about TMS as a treatment option for depression.
For more information, visit Apollo TMS Therapy.
Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic now partners with Apollo® to provide advanced transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for depression. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Apollo TMS is a noninvasive, medication-free treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
While the exact cause of depression is not fully understood, research suggests it may be related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters—the brain’s chemical messengers responsible for communication between nerve cells.
During an Apollo treatment session, a high-performance magnetic coil—similar in strength to those used in MRI machines—delivers gentle, precisely targeted pulses to the specific region of the brain linked to mood control. This stimulation can improve the activity of nerve cells and restore healthier neurotransmitter function, offering many patients long-term relief and the possibility of remission from depression.
For more information, visit Apollo TMS Therapy.
The first step will be getting an evaluation by one of our psychiatrists to see if TMS is an appropriate treatment option.
If you are a good candidate, an appointment can be made for your initial treatment session. You will be taken to the treatment suite where our technician will make adjustments to the Apollo TMS chair and make sure that you are comfortable throughout your sessions.
Next, the psychiatrist and technician will work to find the best coil placement location and treatment strength specific for you. After the initial configuration is completed, you will begin your first treatment session!
The coil makes a clicking sound similar to an MRI while it is pulsing or active. Ear protection is available if needed. Most patients describe a tapping sensation under the coil as a mild discomfort that is easily tolerated after just a few treatments.
Future treatments will involve the TMS technician bringing you to the suite and starting the session at the predetermined location. Most TMS sessions last around twenty to thirty minutes.
Patients can continue all normal daily activities during TMS treatment. Your doctor will have follow up visits weekly to determine how you are doing and if any adjustments need to be made.
The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort, generally mild to moderate occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.
Apollo uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. This noninvasive therapy is medication-free and should not be confused with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
