How long do TMS results typically last?
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Sign in to commentThe durability of TMS results varies by individual, but here's what the data shows: - About 60-70% of patients who respond to TMS maintain significant improvement at 12 months - Some patients maintain benefits for 2+ years without retreatment - If symptoms begin to return, "maintenance" or "booster" sessions can be very effective Maintenance TMS typically involves 1-2 sessions per month or a short cluster of sessions every few months. Many of our patients do a 5-session booster if they notice early signs of relapse. The most important thing is to keep up with any medications and therapy your psychiatrist has recommended alongside TMS. The combination tends to produce the most durable results.
I'm 8 months post-TMS and still doing well. My doctor has me scheduled for a check-in every 3 months and said we can do booster sessions if needed. Haven't needed them yet! Staying on my SSRI and doing monthly therapy has helped I think.
I did need a second course about 14 months after my first one. The relapse wasn't as severe as the original depression though — more like a 4/10 vs the original 9/10. The second round worked faster too, only needed about 20 sessions to get back to feeling good.
James's experience is actually very common — retreatment typically works faster and patients often need fewer sessions. This suggests the brain retains some of the neuroplastic changes from the first course. I'd also add that ongoing lifestyle factors matter: exercise, sleep hygiene, stress management, and social connection all help maintain TMS benefits.
18 months out, did a 5-session refresher in February. Honestly think the maintenance schedule is the difference between durable and not.
Important nuance: 'durability' depends a lot on whether you address what was driving the depression in the first place. TMS without therapy = shorter runway in my support group.
14 months post-treatment here. Still in remission with one maintenance week last fall.
26 months. No maintenance yet but I sleep, exercise, and stayed on a low-dose SSRI as a 'belt'. Working so far.
Relapsed at month 7. Did another full short course (20 sessions) and was back in remission within 4 weeks. Second round was easier.
Mine lasted about 9 months before I noticed creep. Did a 10-session refresher and bounced back quickly.
What I wish someone had told me: track your PHQ-9 monthly post-treatment. Catching creep early = a 5-session tune-up instead of another full course.
The Carpenter and Phillip studies are the realistic anchors. ~50-60% maintain response at 12 months without maintenance, higher with.
The 2018 Carpenter study showed ~50% maintained response at 12 months. Real-world for me has been close to that.
Stress life event triggered a relapse for me at month 10. Refresher worked. The neural pathways are still there to be re-activated.
Two years out. Did one round of maintenance at month 18. Still feel like myself. Best decision I've ever made.
Two and a half years and counting. Best money I ever spent on my brain.
Lifestyle stuff matters — sleep, exercise, therapy alongside. The folks who relapse fastest in my support group are the ones who dropped everything else after TMS.