Advantages of rTMS Therapy

• Highly effective (based on results of clinical research, rTMS surpasses the success rates of Pharmacotherapy intervention and Electro Convulsive Therapy)
• Few or no side effects (most severe side effect is a mild headache)
• Quick onset of therapeutic effect (typically within 1 week)
  
• Painless procedure
• Non-invasive
• No anesthesia required
• Outpatient therapy
• Excellent ability to target specific neuron circuits
• Effectiveness only requires 2 to 4 weeks of treatment
• Ability to provide therapeutic benefit for treatment-resistant individuals
• Patients do NOT have to stop taking medication in order to receive rTMS
• “Non-Responders” typically achieve a 15% reduction in depression symptoms
• Equivalent effectiveness in treating both patients with Major Depressive Disorder and those suffering from Bipolar Disorder
• Treatment parameters are determined individually for each patient. Protocols are based upon each individual patient’s specific diagnosis, ensuring the most effective treatment course possible
• The treatment parameters and results gained from all rTMS procedures delivered at our clinics are tracked using our custom-developed software program. This allows our medical staff to customize, assess, and follow each patient's treatment progress and to provide individualized feedback on results.
• Patients are informed of their progress on the various depression and anxiety assessment scales throughout the course of treatment.
• Like any effective treatment modality, the degree of improvement varies among individuals. The initial pre-procedure consultation with a medical doctor at our clinic will help determine the range of one’s probable outcome based on the severity of depression, medical history, and expectations.

Figure: Patients Responsiveness to rTMS Therapy

Figure: Peer-Reviewed Medical Journal Articles Supporting the Efficacy of rTMS Therapy

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Duration of Benefits

• Typically, improvement is experienced within one to two weeks of beginning treatment
• Most patients tend to be aware of therapeutic benefit into the second week of treatment
• Late-responders may require additional sessions into a third week to achieve significant reductions in depression symptoms
• On average, patients return for Maintenance Therapy after approximately 8-12 months. This time frame varies between each patient.
• On average, Maintenance Therapy entails half the number of rTMS sessions that were originally completed. We encourage patients to contact us immediately if they sense their depression symptoms are returning. MindCare Centres staff does its best to promptly accommodate needed appointments.

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Side Effects of rTMS

While there are some risks associated with having rTMS therapy, these risks are minimal in most cases. The chance of experiencing a complication or side effect during or after the procedure has been documented to be few or none in a number of clinical studies.

Potential Side-effects

• Mild headache: Experienced by only 1 in 10 patients, and results from muscle stimulation on the scalp. Typically, the headache will pass with a few hours or with a dose of Tylenol.
• Sleep disruption
• Decrease/increase in energy following treatment

There has not been any occurrence of seizures reported worldwide since the introduction of standard treatment protocols in 1998.

The risks of therapy are discussed fully prior to the procedure. Proper pre-procedural screening ensures that we proceed with the therapy only when it is medically advisable. As well, post-procedural follow-up helps to identify and address any potential side effects or complications.

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