What time commitment does rTMS involve?

With the accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (aiTBS) protocol for depression, you will come to the hospital 5 days a week, typically for 2 weeks (10 days). You will usually be at the hospital for around 2 hours each day. 

On each day that you attend, you will have 3 treatment sessions. Each session involves treatment of 1800 pulses over 9 minutes, with a 30-minute interval between sessions.

With the ‘Standard’ rTMS protocol for depression, you will come to the hospital 5 days a week, typically for 6 weeks (30 days). You will receive treatment once a day with each lasting around 30 minutes.

Most people can continue normal activities (e.g. reading, walking etc.) after the treatment sessions.

Driving

We recommend that you do not drive on the first day of your treatment.  If your condition otherwise permits it, you can drive home after all subsequent treatments. Please talk to your psychiatrist if you are unsure about the DVLA driving rules about your condition.