Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves magnetic stimulation of the brain, which studies have shown may help improve symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved TMS as a treatment option for BD.
BD is a mental health disorder associated with periods of mania (extreme highs) and periods of depression or depressed mood. While treatment options exist that can help, they are not always effective, which has led researchers to look for other options.
TMS is a therapeutic option that has shown success in treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some studies have also found it to be effective in treating BD. This has led many to believe it could be a viable treatment option in the near future for people living with BD.
This article reviews what TMS is, what researchers know about its use and effectiveness in treating BD, potential results, and more.

TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a noninvasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain’s electrical activity in certain areas. In targeting different areas of the brain, a doctor may be able to provide potential benefits to different conditions.
Researchers have shown that doctors can use TMS in the treatment of several mental health conditions, such as depression and OCD, and other brain-related conditions, such as migraine.
BD is a mental health disorder. It can present differently and may cause unusual changes in:
- energy levels
- mood
- concentration
- activity level and overall ability to complete daily tasks
There are
- bipolar I disorder
- bipolar II disorder
- cyclothymic disorder
While each type of BD has important distinctions, a person living with any of the three types goes through periods of depression or depressed mood and manic episodes.
TMS has shown some promising results in the treatment of BD. In a
- People living with depressive symptoms saw improvements in their symptoms across multiple studies.
- People living with mania symptoms had mixed results across multiple studies.
- Only a few studies have looked at people living with BD during phases outside of manic or depressive states, making a conclusion difficult.
In
Studies appear to indicate that TMS may benefit people living with bipolar depression. A
This suggests that TMS may be most appropriate for people living with depressive symptoms of BD. The researchers also noted that the procedure may work for people who have not responded to psychological or pharmacological intervention for the disorder.
In a
- 77% met their response criteria
- 41% of those who had at least 25 treatments met remission criteria
Of those that started the study, four (representing 10% of the study participants) discontinued the use of treatment due to concerns about activating mania.
Experts generally consider TMS safe and noninvasive, but as with other procedures, there are certain risks a person should be aware of. These risks
Currently, the FDA has not approved TMS for the treatment of BD.
Information on exactly what a person will need to do for TMS is limited. A person should follow instructions from the researchers in any studies they join.
Still, the use of TMS for depression may provide some idea of what a person will need to do to prepare for the procedure. Prior to the procedure, it
- performing a physical examination
- conducting a psychiatric evaluation
- reviewing personal and family history
- reviewing any implanted metal plates or devices, such as pacemakers
TMS is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
For the procedure, a person
Each session will likely last from
Researchers
Other studies
All studies have indicated a need for additional research to fully understand TMS’s effectiveness and safety in people living with BD.
TMS is currently not available in the United States for the treatment of BD. An older study indicated that each session could cost around
Costs will likely change upon approval of TMS for BD treatment. Insurance and Medicare may cover the costs once approval for the procedure occurs.
Currently, a person will need to participate in a study to receive TMS for BD.
To find an active study, a person can contact their primary care doctor and ask about any recruiting studies they may be aware of.
A person can search for TMS treatment for BD studies on ClinicalTrials.gov. This site provides a list of clinical trials that a person may be able to join.
TMS may provide an effective form of therapy for BD. Currently, the FDA does not approve TMS as a treatment for BD, but studies have shown that it may provide effective therapy for people with depressive symptoms who have not had success with other treatments.