No, these treatments are very different. Unlike ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), TMS treatments take place while the patient is fully awake, are completed in less than an hour. Patients do not experience short-term memory loss or confusion. Sedatives are not used in TMS treatments, and patients can drive themselves to-and-from treatments. In over 1.6 million treatments, less than .01% of patients experienced a seizure. In contrast, ECT intentionally causes a seizure. No systemic side effects are associated with TMS therapy.