Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation. It is an established treatment option in psychiatry for a variety of conditions such as treatment resistant depression (TRD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At our clinic, rTMS is used as a non drug therapy for depression and other neurological conditions when appropriate.
rTMS treatments may require a prior modified non diagnostic MRI obtained at the private clinic MRI St. Joseph to enable us to use our neuronavigation system.
Treatment sessions usually last 40 to 50 minutes and are repeated daily 5 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks. rTMS treatment sessions cause scalp muscle contractions which are felt as a knocking on the head sensation. There are no known short or long term side effects, however some have reported a mild headache. Treatments are often followed by maintenance sessions, which occur at variable intervals.
rTMS is a safe and non-invasive procedure that uses an electromagnet to generate small, focused, repetitive currents in the superficial layers of the brain. When these currents are delivered repeatedly over time, they help modulate the brain’s functional and structural connectivity, promoting neuroplasticity (the brain’s natural ability to reorganize and adapt).
In essence, rTMS leverages our inherent neuroplasticity to help the brain overcome neuronal injury or disease, opening the door to promising new avenues in neurological care.
At Clinique Neuro Outaouais (CNO), our repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation providers offer rTMS treatments to people living with a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including treatment resistant depression, PTSD, post-stroke recovery, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome (RLS), tinnitus and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
Our clinic combines clinical care with ongoing neurological research. CNO is actively conducting clinical research including rTMS for MS and for GBM, contributing to the growing understanding of how neuromodulation may support neurological recovery and disease management.
rTMS treatments at CNO are covered by some private insurance plans, but they are not currently covered by public health plans such as RAMQ or OHIP. Patients considering treatment are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to confirm whether rTMS therapy is included in their coverage.
To learn more about rTMS and other neurological services, visit our neurology treatment center. If you would like to discuss whether rTMS treatment may be appropriate for your condition, contact us to schedule a consultation with the Clinique Neuro Outaouais team.
