Accelerated TMS FAQ — What You Need to Know

Q: What is accelerated TMS?

Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an intensified treatment schedule for depression. Instead of one session per day, patients receive multiple sessions each day.

• A full course can be completed in 5–10 days instead of 6+ weeks.

• Some research has even tested single-day protocols combined with other medications.

Q: How is accelerated TMS different from standard TMS?

• Standard TMS = 5 sessions per week, for 6+ weeks (30–40 total sessions).

• Accelerated TMS = multiple daily sessions, condensed into 1–2 weeks (or less in some studies).

Both approaches use the same basic technology — gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation.

Q: What does the research show?

Evidence for accelerated TMS is promising and growing:

• Research on accelerated protocols has been ongoing since 2007.

• Stanford studies found that accelerated TMS with advanced brain targeting can produce rapid improvements in severe or treatment-resistant depression.

• A 2025 study using intermittent theta burst (iTBS) showed that:

  • Five sessions per day for six days + eight more sessions over four weeks produced response rates of 87.8% and remission rates of 78%.

  • These were nearly identical to outcomes with the conventional 6-week schedule.

• Some studies suggest higher remission rates compared to standard TMS.

• Accelerated TMS is currently being studied in clinical trials across the U.S. and internationally.

Q: Is accelerated TMS FDA-approved?

No. At this time, only standard TMS protocols are FDA-approved.

Q: Does insurance cover accelerated TMS?

No. Insurance (including Anthem/BCBS and Cigna) only covers standard TMS protocols. Accelerated schedules are considered experimental.

Q: Who might consider accelerated TMS?

Patients who:

• Cannot commit to 6 weeks of daily visits

• Are seeking a potentially faster response

• Are willing to pay out of pocket for a research-based treatment

At Redbud Behavioral Health, we prioritize FDA-approved, insurance-covered options, but we also stay up to date with innovations like accelerated TMS to help patients make informed choices.

Q: What is the current standard of care?

Standard TMS therapy remains the only FDA-approved, insurance-covered option. It is:

• Backed by more than a decade of research

• Safe, non-drug, and non-invasive

• Covered by Anthem/BCBS and Cigna at Redbud Behavioral Health

Q: What are my next steps if I’m interested?

Accelerated TMS is an exciting area of research and may one day be routine. For now, standard TMS is the safest, most accessible option.

If you’ve been struggling with depression that hasn’t responded to medications, Redbud Behavioral Health offers:

• FDA-approved TMS therapy

• Spravato® (esketamine nasal spray)

• Advanced medications (lithium, MAOIs, dopamine agonists, thyroid)

• Metabolic psychiatry to address sleep, inflammation, and insulin resistance

[Book Your Free Consultation Today] to explore your options.