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Introduced in the early 1990’s as an experimental psychiatric treatment for depression, TMS consists of the application of an electromagnetic coil to the outside of the skull and thus is both painless and noninvasive. Applications differ regarding how precisely where the magnet is applied (e.g., frontal or temporal areas, left or right), how frequently it is applied, and the strength of the electromagnet. If the frequency of the electromagnetic wave is greater than one per second, it is called repetitive TMS, usually written rTMS.
TMS is being tried as a treatment for depression, manic-depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as for schizophrenia. Like ECT, it is not known precisely how TMS works. Initial trials have shown some effectiveness in reducing auditory hallucinations in some patients, but it is too early to assess its long-term effectiveness as alternative form of therapy.
Surviving Schizophrenia, E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.