• Safety Training Exceptions (i.e. tours,
visitors, vendors, filming etc)
• Volunteers and Research Conduct
• Marco Iacoboni, MD, PhD - TMS Director
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:
Click here to submit a study to the ALBMC database (requires a database account)
Safety training is a 6 step process and typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete.
Go to the Brain Mapping Center for a 1.5 hour session TMS safety course which will be followed by a test.
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.
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):
General exclusion criteria (see specific IRB for details)
Please consult with TMS Lab personnel if you have any questions.
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:
Safety training is a 6 step process and typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete.
Go to the Brain Mapping Center for a 1.5 hour session TMS safety course which will be followed by a test.
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.
Your Volunteer Office on-boarding must be complete. Please submit a copy of your Volunteer Assignment Referral Slip to Darin Williams when you schedule the Step 5 Orientation.
After your TMS Orientation is completed you will then schedule a “Final Safety Walk-through” with Dr. Wu (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):
General exclusion criteria (see specific IRB for details)
Please consult with TMS Lab personnel if you have any questions.