Frequently Asked Questions about MeRT

The qEEG and EKG tell us how different areas of the brain are functioning, allowing us to identify disruptions to your brain network. Then we create a treatment plan specifically tailored to you.

Specifically, we use gentle magnetic waves to reprogram electrical signals in the brain. As a result, we can modify behavior and restore function.

3. What conditions can be treated with MeRT?

We can treat a variety of conditions with MeRT, including:

4. How is MeRT different from standard TMS?

Clinicians have used TMS for decades to treat various neurological conditions, particularly depression. However, traditional TMS treatment focuses on one particular area of the brain, using a specific frequency each time.

MeRT evolved from TMS. We customize treatment based on a patient’s EEG/EKG diagnostics and imaging, including the location, frequency, duration, and amount of power the magnet uses.

5. What research supports the use of MeRT for brain treatment?

MeRT treatment is based on robust third-party research published in the most prestigious scientific journals. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of MeRT on various conditions, with research ongoing. Please visit our Science page to read peer-reviewed published research on EEGs, rTMS, and MeRT.

MeRT Treatment Protocols

6. What are the steps of MeRT treatment?

The four-step MeRT protocol is as follows:

Evaluation: First, we perform a qEEG and EKG to get all the data on your specific brainwave frequencies, heart rate, and brain-heart coherence.
Analysis and Protocol: Our scientific team and the doctor review the data with a patented scientific approach to develop a personalized treatment plan to encourage healthy brain communication.
Treatment Delivery: You will come in for daily rTMS treatment five days a week. We perform treatment in two-week intervals. In each session, you’ll sit in a comfortable chair while a highly-trained technician places a magnetic coil on your head. There’s no pain or discomfort involved: the device simply brings about mild electrical signals in the targeted areas of the brain.
Progress Evaluation: As you progress through your daily treatments, we’ll monitor your progress so we can confirm how you feel and track improvements. Then, after every two weeks of treatment, we will perform a series of tests to review your progress and make any needed modifications.

7. How long does each MeRT treatment session last?

Daily treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. The magnetic stimulation occurs for six to eight seconds every minute. We will ask you to close your eyes during each six-to-eight-second period.

8. How many MeRT sessions will I need for effective treatment?

For the best results, most conditions require six to eight weeks of MeRT treatment. Since each brain is unique, the treatment protocol will differ for each patient.

It’s important to note that results are based on strict compliance with our treatment regimens. Results may vary based on each individual and are not guaranteed.

About the Brain Treatment Center San Diego

9. What qualifications do the clinicians administering MeRT have?

Our physicians and scientists are among the world’s leading minds in neuro restoration, with years of experience in MeRT treatment for brain dysfunction.

The Brain Treatment Centers Newport Beach and San Diego are the flagship clinics for MeRT and the first clinics in the world to use MeRT technology. In the past decade, we have treated more than 6,000 patients with MeRT.

Dr. Julie Kim, our Medical Director, is the most experienced MeRT clinician in the world. She was asked to use her knowledge and expertise in MeRT to train and support other physicians in this technology and spread the use of MeRT for Wave Neuroscience. In the past four years, she has trained over 100 physicians to understand how to interpret qEEG results and use MeRT.

10. How can I schedule an appointment for a MeRT consultation?

The first step is to call our New Patient Coordinator for a free consultation. She is available to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and put your mind at ease. She can also help schedule you if you decide to proceed with treatment.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can reach her at (619) 255-2101.

If you prefer, you can fill out a form on our Contact page, and our New Patient Coordinator will contact you.

11. Is remote or online consultation available for MeRT treatment?

Yes. Once you have done your initial testing, your second appointment is for a clinical evaluation. You can have this appointment in the office or in the comfort of your own home, whichever you prefer.

Preparing for MeRT Treatment

12. How do I know if I am a suitable candidate for MeRT?

Your comprehensive testing and analysis will determine if you are a candidate. When you come in for your clinical evaluation, you and the clinician will review the results and together decide if you may benefit.

Absolute contraindications for cortical MeRT treatment:

Pacemaker
Defibrillator
Vagal nerve stimulator
VP shunt/magnetic intracranial shunts
Deep brain stimulator
Epidural cortical stimulator
Steel shunts/stents
Cranial metal fragments (i.e., shrapnel, excluding titanium)
Cochlear implant
Aneurysm clips, coils, pipelines flow diversion
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Primary brain cancer/metastatic legions in the brain (unless palliative care)
Magnetic dental implants
Implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)
Ocular implants

Relative contraindications:

These require closer protocol attention and may or may not disqualify someone from receiving cortical MeRT treatment, depending on the doctor’s discretion and the person’s condition.

History of seizure or seizure disorder
Titanium shunts/stents
Spinal cord stimulator
Hearing aids
Ferrous cortical implants
Magnetic ink tattoo
Bipolar Disorder Type I/II
Baha implant

13. Can I continue my regular activities, like driving and working, during the MeRT treatment period?

Yes, you can continue regular activities during the treatment period. However, you must be able to stay in Orlando or the surrounding area for each two-week treatment period.

Post-Treatment Considerations

14. How soon can I expect to see results after starting MeRT treatment?

Everyone’s response to treatment is different. That’s why we require every new patient to undergo a two-week assessment period. At the end of this assessment period, we will take a second qEEG and compare it to the initial qEEG to see if you are responding.

If there is a positive response to treatment during the assessment period, you will have likely noticed some improvements starting to take place. At that point, we will schedule additional MeRT treatment in two-week intervals.

We will perform a qEEG/EKG at the end of every two weeks to monitor your progress; you will have a consultation to confirm that changes are still showing on the testing.

Most conditions treated with MeRT provide noticeable and long-lasting results after four to eight weeks of treatment; however, each patient is different, and results may vary.

15. Are the results from MeRT treatment permanent?

Generally, treatment results can last a lifetime, though some people prefer occasional follow-up treatment. Your provider will regularly schedule follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

The results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain.

Please note that results and improvements are based on active and strict observation of our regimens, may vary based on the individual users, and are not guaranteed.

16. Can MeRT be used in conjunction with other therapies?

Yes, MeRT can often be used along with other therapies and can help those therapies work more effectively.

Effects of MeRT Treatment

17. What are some benefits of MeRT treatment?

MeRT benefits are different for everyone but may include:

Improved Sleep
Increased Relaxation
Better Concentration and Focus
Improved Memory and Mental Clarity
Decreased Pain
Better Mood
Improved Ability to Cope with Stress
Increased attention span
More Motivation
Fewer cravings (such as drugs or alcohol)
Improved emotional stability
More clarity of thought
Increased ability to adapt to change
Improved self-confidence and self-esteem

18. Are there any side effects associated with MeRT?

Side effects are few and generally mild. The most commonly reported side effect is a mild tension headache at the stimulation site. This headache can last 1-2 hours and responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers.

Other possible side effects are hyperactivity, increased agitation, or euphoria. With brain stimulation, there is also a risk of seizures; however, the risk is minimal with MeRT. We also limit the stimulation intensity to further reduce any possible risk of seizure activity.

Insurance and Payment Options

19. Does insurance cover MeRT treatment?

We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. If you have TRICARE insurance, your policy may provide coverage, depending on your specific situation.

For all other insurance, we are considered out of network and cannot file an insurance claim on your behalf. We can, however, provide you with the paperwork at the end of your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance company to see if they may provide you with any reimbursement.

Unfortunately, we are unable to treat patients who have Medicare or Medicaid.

Currently, rTMS is FDA-approved for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) For non-FDA-approved treatment, it is not likely that insurance will provide reimbursement for our protocols.

Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations. But this depends on their health coverage.

20. What payment options are available for MeRT treatment?

We take all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Care Credit is also an option to help finance medical expenses.

We hope this has given you answers to some of your questions about MeRT treatment.

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by neurological conditions to feel frustrated and isolated. Many have lost hope that treatment can improve the condition.

We understand what you may be going through. Yet, MeRT has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again. That’s why we want to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.

It costs nothing to call us and discuss what is happening. Our New Patient Coordinator is here for you. She understands your pain and can answer all your questions. Additionally, she can explain the process and protocols, costs, possible insurance benefits, and any other details you want to know. There are no obligations, and she will take the time you need to decide whether to take the next steps.

Call us: (619)-255-2101