rTMS Therapy

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a groundbreaking non-invasive and drug-free treatment that uses a magnetic field to induce an electric current which is used to stimulate specific areas of the brain to change behaviour. It can treat a variety of mental and physical health conditions.

rTMS therapy at Broadway Lodge is used as a treatment for addiction by reducing cravings and is a valuable addition to the existing therapeutic programme. It is delivered at Broadway Lodge with AIM Neuromodulation Ltd to clients staying with us at an extra cost. We are also treating outpatients who would like rTMS therapy to reduce cravings.

What happens during rTMS therapy?

rTMS is a technique that involves no medication or sedation so you will be awake during the treatment and in the care of one of our fully trained professionals. There is no recovery time so you will be able to resume your day, as normal, following each treatment session. During your treatment you will hear a noise from the machine and you may feel a mild ‘tapping’ sensation on your scalp – it’s not painful but just like a finger gently tapping your head.

Treatment duration

Each rTMS session will typically be less than an hour; this includes preparation time, with the actual therapy typically lasting between 15 and 40 minutes, depending on the condition being treated. A series of between 15 and 30 sessions over the course of 3 to 6 weeks is usually prescribed although this can differ depending on the individual. Therefore, if you are having rTMS, it’s likely that you will have an rTMS session once or twice a day, several times each week at Broadway Lodge.

Side effects of rTMS & safety

rTMS is considered a very safe treatment and it has been used extensively for over two decades across the world including Australia, Japan, Germany and the USA. It is now becoming increasingly used in the UK both in private practices and in the NHS as a treatment for depression.

There are few possible side effects that you may experience from receiving rTMS therapy. Following the treatment, you may experience short-term headache and/or jaw pain. This is a common side effect but not everyone experiences it. There is a very low risk of seizure (1 in 50,000) which is why rTMS is not recommended to people who are at a higher risk of seizures, e.g. those with epilepsy.

Suitability

During a consultation with one to the AIM Neuromodulation psychiatrists, you will be thoroughly assessed to make sure that it is safe for you to receive rTMS treatment. You may not be suitable for rTMS if you:

• Are pregnant
• Are fitted with an implanted device such as a pacemaker
• Have metal fragments or surgical metal in your body
• Have epilepsy
• Have risk of seizure
• Have had brain surgery
• Have suffered a recent stroke
• Are under the age of 18

Price

An initial no obligation telephone discussion with a consultant psychiatrist is free. A face to face consultation with a consultant psychiatrist is £200 which will be deducted from the cost of a course of treatment if you decide to proceed. A quotation will then be provided for your recommended course of rTMS treatment.

About AIM Neuromodulation

AIM Neuromodulation was founded by three South West England-based psychiatrists who are experienced in delivering rTMS therapy and have all worked in both private and NHS healthcare settings. The psychiatrists are Dr Nicholas Airey, Dr Radu Iosub and Dr Nathan Maynard and they are available to discuss how rTMS could work for you.