TMS Safety


TMS Lab Safety Overview

 

All users of the TMS equipment in the ALBMC NeuroModulation Lab are required to have TMS safety training completed here at the Brain Mapping Center.

 

 

Most TMS protocols, when implemented properly, are considered minimal risk activities. However, because many TMS protocols exist, each protocol must undergo its own individual safety analysis with TMS Lab personnel. In addition, in order to minimize risk, only properly trained and certified TMS personnel are allowed to administer TMS to human subjects. This certification includes practical training on use of TMS, formal safety training and training as a first-responder in case of an emergency.

 

Your lab must have one of the following:

 

An active TMS study here at the ALBMC

 

A study must be submitted and under review by BMC faculty

 

Click here to submit a study to the ALBMC database (requires a database account)

 

Volunteer Researchers ONLY
Must complete the UCLA Hospital Volunteer Office On-Boarding

 

 

 

Request a ALBMC database account here

 

Once your account has been approved, your PI will need to add you to his/her personnel list in order for you to be linked to your group’s study (if you are the PI, you will not need to do this).

 

Contact Dr. Iacoboni to request TMS safety training.

 

 

 

Safety training is a 6 step process and typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete.

 

Complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Online Training Modules for Biomedical Research and HIPAA

 

TMS Safety Manual Review
 
TMS Training Slides Review

 

TMS Readings

Required Reading: Section 7 Rossi, S., M. Hallett, et al. (2009). "Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research." Clin Neurophysiol 120(12): 2008-2039.

 

Recommended Reading: Wassermann, E. M. (1998). "Risk and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: report and suggested guidelines from the International Workshop on the Safety of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, June 5-7, 1996." Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 108(1): 1-16.

 

TMS Safety Course and Test

Go to the Brain Mapping Center for a 1.5 hour session TMS safety course which will be followed by a test.

 

TMS Orientation

After passing the TMS safety quiz, you will be scheduled for a 30 minute orientation session that will include reviewing TMS Safety issues in the TMS environment AND some basic TMS equipment operation.

 

Final TMS Safety Walk-through

After your TMS Orientation is completed you will then schedule a “Final Safety Walk-through” with Dr. Iacoboni (contact information for scheduling the walk-through will be given out at the completion of the TMS orientation session).

This is typically a 30 minute Question and Answer session in which you will be asked questions relevant to TMS safety

 

 

 

Many TMS protocols exist and the TMS Lab personnel should be involved in the design and implementation of TMS studies in the lab. The most common protocols in use are single-pulse TMS, paired-pulse TMS, low-frequency repetitive TMS, high-frequency repetitive TMS, and theta-burst TMS. Each protocol is defined by a combination of TMS intensity, frequency, duration of stimulation, and pattern of stimulation (continuous vs intermittent stimulation).
 
In general, higher intensities, higher frequencies, and longer durations of stimulation carry higher risk. All procotols currently in use are done within limits of safety guidelines first established in 1998 (Wassermann 1998; see Table 1). These guidelines have been reaffirmed by the recent publication of a comprehensive and consensus review of TMS safety, ethics, and application in research (Rossi et al 2009) which essentially incorporates and supercedes the Wassermann 1998 article. Table 4 in the review article reproduces this table. The Rossi et al 2009 safety article is required reading for anyone who wishes to use TMS in a research study.

 

 

Standard risks disclosed in all TMS studies in our lab (see specific IRB for details):

 

headaches, neck aches

hearing threshold shifts

heating of metal on the scalp/head

syncope (fainting)

accidental seizures (very rare)

unforeseen potential events in research protocols

General exclusion criteria (see specific IRB for details)

age >= 18 years old

metals in head (except dental fillings)

history of seizures or 1st degree relative with history of seizures

medications that lower seizure threshold

a serious or active medical, neurological, or psychiatric illness

pregnancy

Please consult with TMS Lab personnel if you have any questions.