Some sufferers of depression do not respond to therapy or drugs. Neither the doctors nor the patients knew who was receiving the real treatment.
Preliminary evidence suggests that the magnets work by causing biochemical changes in the brain.
As far as the patients are concerned, however, TMS is an exciting treatment because it does not cause pain, disorientation, or memory loss. For those who are immobilized by depression, this is very good news indeed. Their physical disability is certainly difficult, but even worse is their inability to communicate with others. These are displayed on a computer screen and with practice, patients learn how to control them. Once they are able to do this, patients are hooked up to a computerized spelling device.