rTMS
rTMS FAQ
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a safe, non-invasive treatment approved by Health Canada for the treatment of depression not responding to medication. rTMS uses small magnetic fields produced by a small generator coil placed on the scalp to stimulate or inhibit regions of the brain
Repetitive Transcranial Magneti Stimulation is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of depression not responding to medication. Individuals who cannot tolerate antidepressants will also benefit from rTMS.
Individuals with magnetic-sensitive metal implants in the head cannot receive rTMS treatment. Such metal implants include Cochlear implants, Implanted electrodes & simulators, Aneurysm clips & coils, Deep brain stimulator, Vagus nerve stimulators, Pacemaker, Magnetically activated dental implants, Ferromagnetic ocular implants, Facial tattoos with metallic ink.
It is a safe, comfortable procedure; sedation or anesthesia is not required, evidence-based high efficacy, free of side effects such as numbing, drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction seen with medication.
There are some side-effects in rTMS treatment. These include slight discomfort mild headaches in some individuals; the headache is usually transient and can be easily treated with pain killers. The ‘click’ sound might become unpleasant for some patients and, in some people, may affect hearing. We minimize the chances of this happening by providing earplugs to patients. Because of the risk of a seizure, we do not treat individuals with a history of seizures and/or epilepsy.
Both TMS and ECT are forms of neuromodulation used to treat depression. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) involves passing an electric current through the brain. While rTMA uses magnetic pulses. ECT requires the patient to be anesthesia to bring about sedation. rTMS patients sit in a comfortable chair wide awake and alert and require no sedation or any premedication for the procedure. Patients can resume their normal daily activity immediately after rTMS. rTMS is always given in an outpatient clinic, while ECT often requires hospital admission.
We advise that you let us know of your holiday plans before you start treatment.
rTMS is a treatment provided by a specialist. If you want rTMS treatment, a referral will be required from your family physician.
What to expect
At the initial appointment, you will see the psychiatrist for a pre-treatment assessment. If you meet the treatment criteria, you will be given a start date.
The first day of treatment is a mapping session. You will be seated in a comfortable TMS chair for this session and handed earplugs to minimize discomfort from the loud clicking noises the TMS coil makes. The magnetic impulses are delivered via the coil, which runs for several seconds before stopping for a few seconds and then starting up again. This cycle repeats itself several times during the duration of treatment. The TMS treatment is discharged via a coil that produces the magnetic field. The coil is placed few millimeters above the left temple. The goal of mapping is to determine treatment location on the head and other treatment parameters like its strength. The treatment takes anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes.
The treatment started the next day. Each treatment session would last less than 10 minutes. You are in and out of the clinic in less than half an hour. We schedule sessions for five days a week over the next two months. It is a big-time commitment, so we advise interested clients to consider this before starting the process.