TMS and ADHD: What the Research Shows

Is TMS approved for ADHD?

No. TMS is not FDA-cleared for ADHD. TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, as an adjunct for OCD, and to reduce anxiety symptoms in adults who have major depressive disorder. Using TMS to treat ADHD is off-label. This page is educational and describes what the research shows.

What the research shows for ADHD

Evidence for TMS in ADHD is limited and mixed.

• A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial of deep TMS to the prefrontal cortex in adults with ADHD did not meet its primary outcomes. Some secondary self-report measures of inattention improved, but the main measures did not.
• A review of TMS for ADHD concluded that there is no FDA approval for this use and that the available studies are few and small.

Taken together, the current research does not support TMS as a treatment for ADHD.

A note on device names

A separate device that delivers trigeminal nerve stimulation, not TMS, has FDA clearance for ADHD in some children. That is a different technology from TMS and does not make TMS an approved ADHD treatment. Descriptions that present TMS as an approved way to improve focus or reduce impulsivity in ADHD are not accurate.

Evidence-based options for ADHD

ADHD has well-established treatments, including diagnostic evaluation, medication management, and behavioral strategies. If you are looking for ADHD care, start there rather than with an off-label device. See our ADHD evaluation and treatment information.

When TMS may be relevant

If you have major depressive disorder along with ADHD, TMS is an FDA-cleared option for the depression, evaluated on its own. It would not be a treatment for the ADHD itself. A clinical evaluation clarifies the diagnoses and the appropriate options.

TMS at Exxceed Wellness

We provide TMS for adults with treatment-resistant depression in Hayward, CA. We do not present TMS as a treatment for ADHD. See our TMS program, our ADHD care, or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can TMS treat ADHD or improve focus?

TMS is not FDA-cleared for ADHD, and a randomized trial in adults did not meet its primary outcomes. It is not an established ADHD treatment.

What treatments work for ADHD?

Diagnostic evaluation, medication management, and behavioral strategies are standard. A clinician can review the options with you.

References

Based on research indexed in PubMed:

1. Bleich-Cohen M, et al. A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of prefrontal cortex deep transcranial magnetic stimulation efficacy in adults with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder: A double blind, randomized clinical trial. Neuroimage Clin. 2021;30:102670. DOI.
2. Memon AM. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment of Adolescent Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Narrative Review of Literature. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2021;18(1-3):43-46. PMC.
3. U.S. FDA milestones for TMS devices: PMC.

Educational information only, not medical advice. TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, as an adjunct for OCD, and to reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. It is not FDA-cleared for ADHD, and any such use is off-label and investigational. Outcomes vary, and candidacy is determined by a qualified clinician. Consult a clinician about your specific situation.

Care at Exxceed Wellness — Hayward, CA & California telehealth. We provide ADHD evaluation and medication management for children, teens, and adults — in office in Hayward or by telehealth across California. Learn more ›, schedule a consultation, or call (415) 636-9700.