Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that you may have questions about MeRT since it is a relatively new technology. MeRT, or magnetic e-resonance therapy, is a more sophisticated form of TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation. TMS, in and of itself, has been used since 1985 to treat a variety of mental health and neurological conditions. MeRT was created and patented in the late 2000s by Wave Neuroscience, the parent company of the technology. Studies were initially done on veterans returning from combat nearly 20 years ago and treatment has been available to the general public since 2011.

The process of treatment is quite simple, but if you’re not familiar with TMS or MeRT, it can be confusing. We have created a list of FAQs to help you understand more about how it works, what it can treat, and more.

What is MeRT?

MeRT is a technology that’s used to reprogram abnormal electrical signals in the patient’s brain. It is still considered an emerging technology. MeRT is non-invasive and drug-free.

In more technical terms, MeRT uses a very individualized approach by obtaining a qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram), which is a diagnostic study that measures the pattern of electrical signals in the brain. This study not only shows what is not functioning properly in the brain, but also helps to determine how the brain should be operating.

Using this information, your provider is able to create a precision treatment protocol that is customized for exactly what is happening in your brain. This is done by using a set of magnets placed on the scalp to send electrical signals back into the brain in a way that causes reorganization of the signals, thereby stimulating and organizing the function of neurons in the brain. This process is called Neuromodulation.

What is the difference between MeRT and TMS?

What sets MeRT apart from TMS is that it’s highly individualized utilizing the patient’s own brain waves to make a treatment plan, whereas TMS is more of a one-size-fits-all approach. TMS is the grandmother of MeRT technology. However, MeRT is more evolved because treatment is going to be different for each individual based on their brain “fingerprint.”

TMS treatment does not involve any testing prior to treatment. This is why we refer to it as more of a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, your brain might be operating at an 11-hertz frequency, but another person’s brain may be operating at 9-hertz. Because TMS doesn’t test your brain specifically, it is possible for treatment to be administered at the incorrect hertz frequency, making it far less effective than MeRT.

How effective is MeRT?

Each person will respond to MeRT in a different way based on the condition being treated and the individual’s baseline. For example, MeRT is used to treat Autism. It’s not a cure, but its benefits can greatly improve the quality of life for the patient and the patient’s family. Because Autism is a spectrum disorder, each patient may realize gains, but they can vary based on where the person is on the spectrum.

In general, MeRT is about 80% effective in reducing symptoms for those with Autism, Depression, Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion, PTSD, and Anxiety, and Brain Optimization.

MeRT is also used to treat other conditions such as the after-effects of Stroke, Cognitive Decline, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. It can also be used to treat the after-effects of COVID on the brain. For these conditions, there is no general percentage of effectiveness.

The best way to determine how MeRT can help these types of conditions is to first get a qEEG scan and then have a consultation with your clinic who can recommend whether MeRT may be beneficial. If so, a treatment protocol will be created. For progressive diseases such as Dementia or Parkinson’s, the patient may need to continue to treat periodically after the first round of treatment.

Is MeRT FDA Approved?

The equipment used for treatment is currently FDA-approved for Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, smoking cessation and migraines.

There are ongoing studies for FDA approval for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

For all other conditions, treatment is considered “off-label.” This means that the treatment is used for a different purpose than what the FDA actually approved. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, approximately 20% of all medications in the United States are for off-label use, and that taking a drug for off-label use can be safe and effective.

MeRT is not a drug, but rather a treatment modality. However, the same concept applies; it is still considered safe and effective.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) says, “Since the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the practice of medicine, using medications or treatments off-label has become more common. It occurs in every specialty of medicine, but it may be more common in areas of medicine in which the patient population is less likely to be included in clinical trials (i.e., pediatric, pregnant, or psychiatric patients).”

Is MeRT Treatment Safe?

Yes, MeRT is absolutely safe for the majority of the population, though there are some contraindications. The clinic will screen you before going through treatment to confirm that there are no contraindications that would deem treatment unsafe for you.

MeRT is a very gentle magnetic treatment. Most patients describe it as feeling like a slight “brain massage.” Additionally, you do not have to be put under anesthesia or any other kind of drug for treatment, and when your treatment session is over, you can drive and resume your regular activities.

Does insurance cover MeRT?

MeRT is not covered by insurance in most cases. Some insurance companies may cover treatment for Drug-Resistant Depression because treatment is FDA-cleared. However, for select insurance companies to cover treatment for Depression, there are other requirements that must have been met first.

Most clinics do not accept insurance and are cash pay. A few clinics do accept TriCare Insurance for the treatment of Depression however authorization is required by Tricare first before treatment can begin and there are certain criteria that have to be met first.

Medicare and Medicaid provide no coverage for MeRT regardless of the condition.

Is MeRT similar to Neurofeedback?

No, Neurofeedback is quite different. Both treatment modalities do work to change the neuroplasticity of your brain waves, however, the means by which this is done is completely different. Additionally, Neurofeedback is not going to be beneficial for every type of neurological disorder.

Neurofeedback is an active treatment modality, meaning that you have to actively participate. Neurofeedback is a way of retraining the brain to operate more optimally. For example, if a patient has ADHD, going through a full treatment protocol of Neurofeedback can help the pathways in the brain that are normally regulated to function more optimally to compensate for the part of the brain that is experiencing dysregulation.

Additionally, Neurofeedback is a way of training a person’s brain wave activity by the use of biofeedback. It typically takes about 40 sessions for Neurofeedback to be effective (usually 2 treatments per week).

MeRT is a passive treatment modality, meaning that you do not need to participate other than show up and sit in a chair. The magnet will do all of the work for you. Another important difference is that MeRT targets the specific pathways in the brain that are dysregulated. Neurofeedback targets the parts of the brain that are in a normal brain wave pattern and works to strengthen those to compensate for the dysregulated areas.

Can you have MeRT while undergoing other treatment protocols?

Absolutely, yes! If you or your child are undergoing other types of therapy or medication, you can do both. In some instances, MeRT can actually help accelerate your other treatment modalities since it works to put your neural pathways in sync.

Your MeRT provider does not serve as your primary care provider. All physicians and clinics will collaborate and communicate with your primary provider so that you are able to achieve the best possible outcome.

What is the duration of MeRT treatment? Do you have to return for repeat treatments?

All patients will go through an initial 2-week assessment period to see how they are responding. At the end of the first 2-weeks, we will repeat the qEEG. Your clinic will meet with you at this time to discuss your progress both clinically and what is seen on the repeat qEEG.

Six weeks of MeRT treatment is recommended to gain maximum benefits and to be long-lasting. Each treatment session is 30-minutes in length and administered Monday through Friday. The qEEG is repeated after every 10 treatments to track progress. The clinic will also monitor your clinical progress every day to see how you are progressing.

Most patients do not have to return for treatment. However, there are some cases where a “touch-up” may be needed. For example, some patients with Autism may reach a plateau after 6-weeks of treatment. It’s also common for benefits to become more apparent after letting some time go by.

For those with significant challenges, some may want to return for more treatment several months later to build on what was gained during the initial round of treatment. This is not mandatory, but additional therapy touch-ups may be helpful.

If you are going through treatment for a progressive disease such as Cognitive Impairment or Dementia, once you stop treatment completely, you may lose some of the benefits gained. In cases like this, follow-up treatments can help to prevent that loss. These are handled on a case-by-case basis, and your physician can help to guide you on when and how often to return for treatment.

For other conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, TBI (and post-concussive syndrome), treatment is long-lasting and doesn’t have to be repeated.

Can MeRT cause your condition to become worse?

While a small percentage of people will not experience gains with treatment, no one will get worse. Additionally, because the qEEG is repeated after every 10 treatments, if there are no gains noted after 3-4 weeks, we recommend that you discontinue treatment.

We use a patented and regimented treatment protocol to ensure the safety of all patients. Our physicians do not deviate from the specified protocols. Safety is always at the forefront of all treatment.

What is involved in the qEEG brainwave recording process?

If you are coming in for a qEEG, you will sit comfortably in a chair while a technician puts helmet, or in some cases a cap, on the head. . The helmet is made out of plastic and looks like a football helmet and does not require any gel or other materials to work. This cap is made out of rubber and looks similar to a swimmer’s cap. They both have circles in them with the electrodes embedded.

If you are using the cap (for kids with a smaller head), once the cap is placed on the head, the technician will apply a small amount of gel in each hole so that the electrodes will stick to the scalp. This gel can have a cool feel to it.

We allow up to an hour to get an accurate read because we understand that kids with special brain function may need to take breaks. However, we only need about 10 or 12-minutes total to get an effective read for the qEEG. 

All of our neuro technicians are well-trained and we welcome any family member to join you to increase your comfort

For special needs children, we find that they handle repeat qEEGs more easily and are less anxious and frustrated.

We recommend that all ages of patients who come in for their qEEG to wear their hair down (no braids or plaits) and do not use any product in their hair on the day of the qEEG.

What happens during treatment?

When you come in for treatment, you can expect to sit in the chair for approximately 30-minutes. If you have children who have trouble sitting in one place, the clinic may still be able to treat your child because the magnet machine is mobile.

For each minute of treatment, the neuro technician will place the magnet on your scalp for 6-8 seconds. During this short time period, you will hear a series of tapping noises as the machine pulses. This sound is not overwhelming nor near as loud as what you might hear if you’ve undergone an MRI. We ask that you close your eyes for the 6-8 seconds that the treatment is being administered.

You or your child are welcome to bring an iPad or a game to focus on while treatment is not being administered.

There is no pain involved in treatment. Again, MeRT is very gentle. Some patients have described it as feeling like a mild brain massage.

Your brain uses quite a bit of energy during the 30-minute treatment session and you may feel some fatigue afterward. A high-energy snack right after treatment can easily help with this. We recommend a routine of high amounts of proteins, healthy fats and fruits to replensish and maintain glucose levels used by the brain during treatment cycles. 

What is a 'TMS dip'?

Similar to what happens with antidepressants, patients undergoing TMS therapy can experience a temporary decline in their treatment progress. It’s normal for patients to see an improvement in their symptoms early, so when this dip occurs, you may begin to question what is happening.

A TMS dip occurs because the brain is essentially rewiring itself. TMS therapy targets the prefrontal cortex of the brain and stimulates the neurons, which causes a disruption in how the brain is used to functioning. As the brain is trying to adjust to these new changes and create new pathways, you might experience a disruption or “dip” in your treatment progress.

Moving past this decline is a process that can take time and can result in experiencing temporary unsatisfactory results. However, it is important to understand that a TMS dip is normal and occurs in some patients. This does not mean that TMS is not working or that the patient’s depression is untreatable — it just means that more time and therapy sessions are required to help the brain continue to rewire itself effectively.

If you are experiencing a TMS dip, be sure to let your team of medical professionals know. During this time, your doctor can make adjustments to your treatment plan as well as share advice on how to manage your symptoms.

Do you have any more questions?

The clinics want to make sure that you are well informed about what to expect. The new patient coordinators are available to answer all of your questions and help you or your child prepare for treatment. They will do everything possible to ensure that there are no surprises once you go to the clinic and that your experience is positive.

They can also explain the exact protocols and fees for the clinic that you are interested in.