Accelerated TMS: Is Faster Also Better?

Oct 27, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Feb 5

In the evolving world of mental health treatment, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) continues to stand out as one of the most promising non‑medication options for treatment‑resistant depression. But as research advances, so does innovation — and in 2025, a rising trend is catching attention: accelerated TMS.

So what is it? Does faster treatment lead to faster results? And is it available to you?

Let’s break down what patients and providers need to know about this emerging protocol — and how it compares to current TMS treatment options.

What Is Accelerated TMS?

Accelerated TMS refers to a treatment schedule that condenses multiple TMS sessions into a single day — often 5 to 10 sessions daily over 5 days, rather than the traditional 6–8 week course. The goal is to achieve similar therapeutic benefits in a fraction of the time.

This “fast TMS for depression” model is exemplified by the Stanford SAINT protocol, which customizes stimulation using neuroimaging and delivers intensive sessions over a short period. Other centers and researchers are also exploring shortened, high-intensity TMS variants.

What Does the Research Say?

Although accelerated TMS is still in early stages of evaluation, several interesting findings have emerged:

Rapid symptom relief: In a controlled study, 78.6% of participants receiving SAINT achieved remission after just 5 days of treatment.
Tolerability: Side effects in accelerated protocols (such as fatigue or scalp discomfort) appear manageable in small studies.
Durability (still under review): Early data suggest that benefits may continue for weeks to months post-treatment, but long-term, large-scale evidence is lacking.

Because many accelerated TMS results come from open-label trials or small sample sizes, clinicians urge cautious interpretation. The Clinical TMS Society even issued a revised statement highlighting that SAINT is promising but not yet standard practice.

Is Accelerated TMS Covered by Insurance?

No — accelerated TMS is not currently covered by most insurers.

While standard TMS protocols are FDA-approved and often reimbursable, accelerated versions are still considered investigational by many payers. For example, some insurers continue to regard “non‑standard” variations of TMS (including accelerated schedules) as not medically necessary. Also, many clinics that offer accelerated TMS explicitly note that it is not covered by insurance.

If patients pursue accelerated TMS, they usually pay out-of-pocket, which may amount to several thousand dollars or more depending on clinic, location, and intensity.

Does CPS Offer Accelerated TMS?

CPS does not currently offer accelerated TMS. Instead, we rely on insurance-approved, evidence-supported standard TMS protocols for depression, which have longer treatment timelines but established safety and reimbursement pathways.

However, our team stays tuned to ongoing research and can guide interested patients toward clinical trials or newer modalities when appropriate.

What TMS Options Does CPS Offer?

At CPS, our standard TMS services include:

Treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression
Care for depression with comorbid anxiety
Outpatient, non-invasive protocols with daily sessions (typically 5x/week over 6–8 weeks)
Personalized targeting, clinical supervision, and insurance support
Coordination with therapy and psychiatric care

Although these treatments take longer than accelerated options, they are clinically validated, covered by many insurance plans, and grounded in long-term safety data.

The Bottom Line: Is Faster Better?

Accelerated TMS is a compelling research frontier, but it’s not yet part of mainstream clinical practice — particularly due to insurance limitations, small sample research, and questions about long-term durability.

If you're considering TMS in 2026, the smartest first step is a thorough consultation.

We’ll help you understand: