rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
Doctor-led rTMS in Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi: non-invasive magnetic stimulation for depression and selected neurological conditions, delivered as an outpatient course with no anaesthesia.
What is rTMS treatment?
rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) uses a magnetic coil placed on the scalp to send short magnetic pulses into a targeted brain area, changing how those nerve cells fire. It is non-invasive, you stay awake, and there is no anaesthesia or recovery time. rTMS is best established for depression that hasn't improved enough with medicines. At Brain Bridge in Delhi, a doctor assesses you, plans the protocol and oversees the course.
What it is & how it works
An electromagnetic coil held against the head produces brief, focused magnetic pulses that pass painlessly through the scalp and skull and induce small electrical currents in the brain area beneath. Repeated over many sessions, high-frequency stimulation tends to increase activity in the targeted area and low-frequency stimulation tends to reduce it. For depression, the usual target is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a mood-regulation area that is often under-active in depression.
How it's done
After a medical and safety screening, the doctor finds your individual stimulation strength (the motor threshold) and the target spot on the head. During each session you sit in a reclining chair while the coil rests on your scalp; you hear clicking and feel tapping. Sessions are usually given on weekdays over several weeks. The doctor sets the protocol and number of sessions for you and tracks progress with symptom scales.
What conditions is rTMS used for?
European expert guidelines (Lefaucheur et al., 2020) graded the evidence for rTMS by condition. The strongest, Level A ('definite efficacy'), covers:
- Depression: high-frequency rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- Neuropathic pain: high-frequency rTMS over the motor cortex opposite the painful side
- Hand motor recovery after stroke: low-frequency rTMS of the unaffected side in the post-acute stage
rTMS protocols compared
| Protocol | Session length | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|---|
| High-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS | About 37 minutes of stimulation | Better than sham for depression in a network meta-analysis of 81 trials (Brunoni et al., 2017). |
| Intermittent theta-burst (iTBS) | About 3 minutes | As effective as 10 Hz rTMS for treatment-resistant depression in the THREE-D trial of 414 adults (Blumberger et al., 2018). |
| Low-frequency or bilateral rTMS | Varies | Also better than sham in the same network meta-analysis; chosen case by case. |
How much does rTMS cost in Delhi?
rTMS in Delhi typically ranges from about ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 per session. The cost depends on the protocol (standard rTMS or theta-burst), the number of sessions, and whether it is combined with other treatments.
Your exact cost is confirmed after the assessment, once the doctor has planned your course. You receive the full estimate before you start.
Who is a good candidate for rTMS?
rTMS is mainly used in adults; use in younger people is decided case by case. It may not be suitable if you have metal or electronic implants in or near the head, or uncontrolled epilepsy.
- Adults with depression that hasn't improved enough with at least one medicine, or who can't tolerate medicine side effects
- People who want a non-drug option added to their current treatment
- Selected patients with neuropathic pain or after a stroke, as part of a rehabilitation plan
rTMS at Brain Bridge, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi
Brain Bridge Clinic is at A2/25, Ground Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029, open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM. rTMS here is planned and supervised by a doctor and can be combined with psychiatry, psychotherapy and other neuromodulation in one plan. Arabic and Russian interpreters are available on request.
- Depression & anxiety care
- tDCS — a gentler, lower-intensity form of brain stimulation
- TPS (Transcranial Pulse Stimulation)
- Neuromodulation in Delhi — all brain-stimulation options compared
- Cynaptic Therapy™ — rTMS combined with neurofeedback and psychotherapy
Conditions it treats
Why Brain Bridge
A doctor screens, plans and oversees every rTMS course, chooses the protocol for your condition, and tracks progress with standard symptom scales, so the course can be adjusted or stopped if it isn't helping.
Evidence & safety
Non-invasive, with no anaesthesia. Common side effects are scalp discomfort and headache; seizures are rare when screening and expert safety limits are followed. The evidence is strongest for depression, neuropathic pain and stroke motor recovery, and more limited for other uses.
Related questions
Most people tolerate it well. You feel a tapping on the scalp and hear clicking; some people get scalp discomfort or a mild headache during or after early sessions, which usually eases as treatment continues.
rTMS is generally avoided in people with metal implants or devices in or near the head (such as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips or implanted stimulators) and used with caution in people with epilepsy or a recent seizure, because of a small seizure risk. A screening check before treatment looks for these factors.
rTMS in Delhi typically ranges from about ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 per session, depending on the protocol and equipment. The total depends on the number of sessions in your plan and is confirmed after assessment.
The doctor sets this for each patient. In clinical trials, a standard course is usually daily weekday sessions over about 4 to 6 weeks, and some people later need top-up sessions.
No. rTMS uses magnetic pulses aimed at one brain area, you stay awake, no anaesthesia is needed and you can go back to normal activities straight after. ECT is given under general anaesthesia and causes a controlled seizure.
A standard 10 Hz session takes around 37 minutes of stimulation. Theta-burst (iTBS) sessions take about 3 minutes and, in a large trial, worked as well as standard rTMS for depression. Allow extra time for set-up.
rTMS has been widely used for depression for many years and international expert guidelines set out how to deliver it safely. Common side effects are scalp discomfort and headache; seizures are rare when screening and safety limits are followed.
Usually yes. rTMS is often added to existing treatment. Your doctor will review your medicines at assessment, because some can affect seizure threshold.