The term "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation" may sound frightening to many — conjuring images of electroshock or brain surgery. However, the reality of rTMS is very different: an outpatient procedure, without anesthesia, without serious pain, and without incisions that has gained a solid scientific standing in psychiatry over the past two decades.

What does rTMS stand for?

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — meaning repetitive magnetic stimulation from the skull, without the need for surgery or the insertion of any instruments into the body.

How does it work?

A magnetic coil is placed on the scalp and produces short magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and induce a weak electrical current in targeted areas of the brain (usually the prefrontal cortex). To learn more about the precise mechanism of this process at the neuronal level, read the article How does rTMS affect the brain?.

Patient receiving rTMS magnetic stimulation session at the clinic

Does it require anesthesia?

No. The patient is fully awake during the session, can talk, and can immediately resume driving and daily activities after the session.

What conditions is it approved for?

The most reputable and oldest approval for rTMS is related to medication-resistant depression; in later years, similar approvals were obtained for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Other applications (anxiety, addiction cessation) are still in the stage of growing evidence. To learn more about its application in treatment-resistant depression, read the article rTMS for medication-resistant depression.

Treatment room equipped with rTMS device at the clinic

How long does a session last?

Each session typically lasts between 18 to 40 minutes, depending on the selected protocol.

Is the result immediate?

No; rTMS is a cumulative treatment, not immediate. Its effects are usually observable after several weeks of regular sessions, not from the first session.

  • Type of procedure: non-invasive, outpatient
  • Need for anesthesia: none
  • Duration of each session: 18 to 40 minutes
  • Return to daily activities: immediately after the session

To see who is truly a candidate for this treatment, read the article Who are suitable candidates for rTMS?. If you are looking for a more objective assessment of the brain before deciding on rTMS, the article What is a brain map (QEEG)? may also be helpful.

Psychiatrist consulting with patient about rTMS treatment plan

Summary for the patient

rTMS is a non-invasive outpatient procedure that stimulates specific areas of the brain with magnetic pulses. To achieve results, a regular multi-week course is needed, not just a single session.

Sources

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — General information about the approval of repetitive magnetic stimulation devices (rTMS)
  • American Psychiatric Association — What Is Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)? Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression and other mental health disorders.
  • Mayo Clinic — Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Overview
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