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Interventional Psychiatry Β· Single-Day Protocol

ONE-Day TMS

An entire course of TMS delivered in one day. ONE-Day TMS combines 20 short sessions of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) with a single, one-time medication dose designed to enhance the brain's ability to change β€” so patients who can't commit to weeks of daily visits still have a path to TMS.

1 dayFull treatment course
20 sessions~3 min each, every 30 min
No MRINo brain imaging required
No anesthesiaAwake between sessions
Illustration: 20 TMS sessions spaced across a single day from morning to evening MorningEvening 20iTBS sessionsabout 30 minutes apart Β· one day

How It Works

What is ONE-Day TMS?

Standard TMS usually means a session every weekday for six weeks or more. ONE-Day TMS is based on the ONE-D (Optimized, Neuroplastogen-enhanced Depression) regimen developed by TMS researchers to compress that course into a single clinic day.

  • Efficient stimulation. iTBS delivers a full TMS dose in about three minutes instead of 20–40.
  • Spaced sessions. Sessions repeat about every 30 minutes, an interval chosen to let the brain consolidate each round.
  • Neuroplasticity support. A single pre-treatment dose of d-cycloserine and, when appropriate, lisdexamfetamine helps the brain respond. You don't start a new daily medication.
Single-Day Protocol

At a glance

  • Non-invasive; you're awake the whole time
  • Completed in one visit at our office
  • Monitored by our clinical team all day
  • Ongoing follow-up with your Mindspring psychiatrist
  • Works alongside your current medication and therapy plan
ONE-Day TMS is an off-label use of TMS and of the pre-treatment medications. The research is promising but early; your psychiatrist will review the evidence, risks, and alternatives with you before treatment.
Diagram: a TMS coil on the scalp sends magnetic pulses to the left prefrontal cortex, which connects to deeper mood circuits TMS coilPlaced against the scalpMagnetic pulsesPass painlessly through the skullLeft prefrontal cortexRegion linked to moodDeeper mood circuitsActivated through connections
TMS uses a magnetic coil on the scalp to stimulate the left prefrontal cortex, a mood-regulating region connected to deeper emotional circuits.

What to Expect

Your treatment day

  1. Arrival and check-in. Vitals, a symptom rating scale, and a final safety review with the clinical team.
  2. Pre-treatment medication. You take the single neuroplasticity-support dose about an hour before the first session.
  3. Motor threshold and coil positioning. Our team calibrates the device to you and positions the coil over the target area of the prefrontal cortex.
  4. 20 iTBS sessions. Each lasts about three minutes, with roughly 30-minute breaks to rest, read, work, or eat. Plan on a full day, typically 10–11 hours.
  5. Discharge with a driver. Because of the medication and the length of the day, you'll need someone to drive you home.
  6. Follow-up. Improvement often builds over the following weeks. Your psychiatrist tracks progress with scheduled follow-ups and rating scales.

Candidacy

Who may be a good fit

  • Adults with major depressive disorder who haven't responded adequately to antidepressants
  • People who can't take weeks off work, school, or caregiving for daily TMS
  • Patients traveling from outside Atlanta who need a single-visit option
  • Those wanting a non-invasive option before or alongside other interventional care

Safety Screening

When it may not be right

  • Non-removable metal in or near the head (aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, implanted stimulators)
  • History of seizures or epilepsy
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions, or contraindications to the pre-treatment medications
  • Active psychosis, mania, or substance use requiring a higher level of care
  • Pregnancy, unless reviewed specifically with your psychiatrist

This isn't a complete list β€” your evaluation includes a full TMS and medication safety screen.

Evidence

What the research shows so far

Single-day TMS is an active research area. In early published case series of the ONE-D regimen, every patient completed all 20 sessions on schedule without serious adverse events, and most experienced meaningful improvement that increased over the following 4–6 weeks. A larger matched comparison released as a preprint in 2026 reported higher response and remission rates with single-day TMS than with standard once-daily TMS.

These studies are retrospective or non-randomized, and individual results vary. Randomized controlled trials are still needed. We will never promise a specific outcome.

Compare Protocols

How ONE-Day compares

ProtocolScheduleSessionsTime in officeMedication add-onFDA status
ONE-Day TMS1 day20 iTBS~10–11 hrs in clinicSingle pre-treatment doseOff-label
Accelerated TMS1–2 weeksUp to ~40 iTBS~2–4 hrs/dayNoneOff-label schedule
Standard rTMS~6 weeks + taper~30–36~20–40 min/dayNoneFDA-cleared for MDD

Schedules are typical; your psychiatrist sets the final protocol. Mindspring Health is self-pay and does not bill insurance β€” see the Fees page for current pricing. We can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement, but reimbursement isn't guaranteed.

Physician-Led Care

Overseen by a board-certified psychiatrist

Dr. A. Umair Janjua, M.D., FAPA, founded Mindspring Health and oversees its interventional psychiatry program. Every interventional treatment is reviewed with you by a psychiatrist before it becomes part of your plan, and monitored and adjusted the same way the rest of your care is.

Double Board-CertifiedGeneral & Forensic PsychiatryEmory-TrainedFAPA
Meet Our Providers

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ONE-Day TMS FDA-approved?

TMS devices are FDA-cleared for depression, but the single-day schedule and the use of pre-treatment medications to enhance it are off-label. We discuss this openly during your consultation.

How long will I be at the clinic?

Plan on a full day, usually 10–11 hours including check-in, calibration, 20 sessions with breaks, and discharge.

What does a session feel like?

You'll hear clicking and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp. Mild headache or scalp discomfort is the most common side effect and usually fades within hours.

Do I need someone to drive me?

Yes. Because of the pre-treatment medication and the length of the day, please arrange a driver to take you home.

When will I feel better?

Some people notice changes within the first week, but improvement often builds gradually and may peak 4–6 weeks after treatment. Follow-up visits track your progress.

Can I keep taking my current medications?

In most cases, yes. Your psychiatrist reviews every medication beforehand and will tell you if anything needs to be adjusted or held.

What if it doesn't work, or symptoms come back?

Your psychiatrist will review next steps, which may include repeat treatment, Accelerated or Standard TMS, IV ketamine, or medication changes.

Does insurance cover ONE-Day TMS?

Mindspring Health is self-pay and does not bill insurance. Off-label TMS protocols are generally not covered by insurers. We can provide a superbill on request.

Find out if you're a candidate

Every interventional treatment at Mindspring Health starts with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by a board-certified psychiatrist.