Magnetic Stimulation Therapy or Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a newer, state-of-the-art, non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. It uses a magnetic field externally on the scalp to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It was approved by the US-FDA in 2008 for the treatment of resistant depression. It became available in India over five years ago.

An electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp at a predetermined site. The rTMS device then delivers focused, MRI-strength magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. Repeated sessions of rTMS progressively change brain activity, improving depression in some patients.
rTMS is non-invasive and painless and does not require anesthesia. Individuals can work normally immediately after treatment. No sedation is required, patients are awake and alert during rTMS treatment and can even drive themselves home, or resume work immediately following treatment.

It varies depending on the disorder but in general, daily administration of rTMS for four to six weeks is required. Each treatment session typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.

Metal objects in the head and neck region, cardiac pacemakers and implanted medication pumps, orthopedic implants, increased intracranial pressure, and serious heart disease. Prior history of seizures, family history of epilepsy, and individuals taking medication that might increase the risk of seizures.

Individuals with the following conditions can benefit significantly from rTMS treatment:
Major depressive disorder (US-FDA Approved in 2008)
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety Disorders: including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Schizophrenia (certain symptoms)
Eating disorders – Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Chronic pain
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Fibromyalgia
Migraine headaches
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Maintenance treatment is usually required for chronic illnesses such as major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This can most often be achieved using a medication, once the individual is better. Some individuals, however, can benefit from a repeat course of rTMS 6-12 months post-initial treatment; this is usually done after a re-evaluation and discussion of maintenance treatment options.

Research studies have shown that the therapeutic effect of rTMS in depression matches the effect produced by antidepressant medication. However, rTMS has a relatively rapid onset of action and the beneficial effects are usually noticeable in the second week of treatment, sometimes earlier. rTMS is especially useful among individuals who do not show a good response to antidepressant medication, who experience significant side-effects from medication, or in whom a rapid response is desirable. rTMS also has very few side-effects. The possibility of achieving remission is greater with the combination of rTMS and antidepressant medication than with conventional medication alone.

Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) requires the administration of anaesthesia and the induction of a seizure. Its efficacy is well documented in the literature. However, the electrical stimulus to the brain is scattered (and not focused on precisely on the targeted brain regions), producing undesirable side effects, such as memory loss. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) does not involve anesthesia, electric shock or seizure induction. In rTMS treatment, the electromagnetic stimulus is focused on targeted brain areas, avoiding undesirable side-effects such as memory loss, as shown by research.