rTMS vs Deep TMS: What’s the Difference?

rTMS and Deep TMS at Parth Hospital: Gujarat’s Leading Brain Stimulation Center

If you or your loved one is searching for a gentle, effective therapy for depression or OCD beyond medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be the answer. As Gujarat’s most experienced center for brain stimulation, Parth Hospital offers both rTMS and Deep TMS—cutting-edge, noninvasive options with remarkable safety and patient satisfaction. This guide breaks down the differences, science, patient realities, and why more families choose Parth for neurostimulation.

Key Points	Details
Therapies Offered	rTMS & Deep TMS for depression & OCD
Method	Non-invasive, magnetic brain stimulation
Session	20–30 daily, outpatient (20–25 minutes)
Effectiveness	Deep TMS: highest response/remission, especially for tough cases
Comfort	89–90% report zero discomfort
Parth Expertise	500+ TMS patients, custom mapping, top safety

What is rTMS?

rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is an FDA-approved, non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that involves delivering targeted magnetic pulses to specific parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation. A small, focused magnetic coil against the scalp activates the surface of the brain—specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—that tends to be underactive in individuals with depression.

The magnetic coil sends short pulses that induce electrical currents within specific regions of the brain and assist in “resetting” neural circuits involved in mood and anxiety. All treatment is external—no surgery, no anesthesia, no sedation necessary. The sessions are 20–25 minutes in length and usually occur once a day over 4–6 weeks.

Who Benefits from rTMS?

rTMS helps:

Individuals with mild to moderate depression who have not been responding to medications
OCD patients who are looking for medication-free treatments
Those who are unable to handle antidepressant side effects
Patients seeking proven, first-line brain stimulation

It’s FDA-approved, DCGI-approved in India, and has been used successfully for more than two decades globally.

What is Deep TMS?

Deep TMS (Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is the new wave of magnetic brain stimulation. In contrast to older rTMS technology, Deep TMS employs a patented “H-coil” technology in a helmet-like device capable of stimulating deeper and larger areas of the brain at once.

The H-coil is capable of penetrating deeper into the brain, up to 4 cm (compared to 1.5 cm with regular rTMS), and stimulating a number of interconnected brain areas simultaneously, triggering wider neural networks with complex mood disorders.

Who Benefits from Deep TMS?

Deep TMS is best suited for:

Individuals with severe, chronic, or treatment-resistant depression
Those who have failed multiple medications
Those who didn’t benefit from regular rTMS
Difficult cases of depression with OCD, bipolar depression, or other comorbid conditions

The Main Differences Between rTMS and Deep TMS

1. Coil Design & Depth of Stimulation

rTMS utilizes a figure-8 coil placed against individual scalp sites, exciting surface cortical regions about 1.5 cm deep. It is very specific, hitting exact brain areas, and good for localized therapy of mild-moderate conditions.

Deep TMS has a helmet design with wider coil configuration extending to deeper brain structures (4 cm) and activating broader neural networks all at once. This is important in cases of severe depression with dysregulation in deeper limbic structures that regular rTMS cannot target adequately.

2. Treatment Session Experience

Both treatments have common comfort factors:

✅ Outpatient treatment without anesthesia
✅ Little feeling (89–90% experience no discomfort)
✅ 20–25 minute treatment
✅ Usually 20–30 daily treatments for 4–6 weeks

Patients experience a subtle “tapping” feeling on the scalp, with infrequent mild scalp tingling (roughly 10% of patients). Fewer than 1% experience any notable distress at Parth Hospital. Sessions are easily accommodated by work or school schedules, with no cognitive side effects or grogginess—you may drive yourself to and from sessions.

3. Efficacy for Depression

Recent landmark clinical trials report dramatic differences in treatment outcomes:

Deep TMS:

✅ 82% response rate
✅ 65% remission rate
✅ Especially strong efficacy for treatment-resistant depression
✅ Greater success in severe, chronic cases

rTMS:

✅ 24.5% response rate
✅ 15.5% remission rate
✅ Efficacy for mild to moderate depression
✅ Good first-line brain stimulation treatment

Deep TMS’s access to wider, deeper neural networks more fully addresses the intricate, multi-circuit dysfunction of severe depression than surface stimulation alone.

Which TMS Option Is Best for You?

Choose rTMS if you have:

✓ Mild or moderate depression
✓ First episode or new onset depression
✓ Cannot tolerate medication side effects
✓ Want to begin with tested, proven technology

Learn more about rTMS treatment →

Choose Deep TMS if you have:

✓ Severe or chronic depression
✓ Treatment-refractory depression (failed multiple medications)
✓ Prior rTMS that was inadequate for relief
✓ Complicated diagnostic presentation (depression + OCD or bipolar depression)

Learn more about Deep TMS treatment →

Why Choose Parth Hospital?

Gujarat’s TMS Pioneer

We’re among the handful of Indian centers that provide full Deep TMS capability—with more than 500 TMS patientssuccessfully treated.

Personalized Care

🧠 Individual brain mapping for each patient
📊 Individualized monitoring by experienced psychiatrists
👨‍⚕️ Expert team skilled in both rTMS and Deep TMS technologies
😊 More than 95% patient satisfaction

Comprehensive Approach

We combine TMS with:

Proven Results

✅ FDA and DCGI approved
✅ Recommended by Indian Psychiatry literature (2025) for treatment-resistant cases
✅ Backed by international clinical evidence
✅ 500+ successful patient stories

Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression

If you’ve tried multiple treatments without success, it’s not about giving up—it’s about finding the right approach. Depression symptoms can change over time, and what didn’t work before doesn’t mean nothing will work now.

Many patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments find significant relief with Deep TMS because it reaches brain structures that surface stimulation cannot access.

What to Expect: Your TMS Journey

Initial Consultation

We’ll discuss:

Your depression history and symptoms
Previous treatments and their outcomes
Whether rTMS or Deep TMS is better suited for you
Your personalized treatment plan

Brain Mapping Session

Advanced imaging helps us identify the exact areas of your brain that need stimulation—ensuring precision and maximizing effectiveness.

Treatment Phase

📅 Daily sessions: 20-25 minutes
🏥 Outpatient: No hospital admission needed
🚗 Drive yourself: No sedation or anesthesia
⏰ Flexible timing: Fits around work/school

Progress Monitoring

We track improvements through:

Regular assessments
Symptom tracking
Adjustments to optimize your treatment

Schedule your consultation today →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TMS painful?

No. 89-90% of patients report zero discomfort. Some may feel a mild tapping sensation on the scalp, but it’s generally well-tolerated.

How long do results last?

Many patients maintain improvement for 1-2 years or longer. Maintenance sessions may be recommended to sustain benefits.

Can I continue my medications during TMS?

Yes. TMS is often combined with medications for optimal results. We work closely with you to create an integrated treatment plan.

What if I have other mental health conditions?

We treat complex cases including depression with anxiety, OCD, and other comorbid conditions. Our comprehensive approach addresses all aspects of your mental health.

How is Parth Hospital different?

🏆 500+ TMS patients treated
🔬 Personalized brain mapping
👨‍⚕️ Expert psychiatric team
🎯 Both rTMS and Deep TMS available
😊 95%+ patient satisfaction

Related Resources

Ready to Find Your Best Brain Health?

Book a Personalized TMS Consultation at Parth Hospital—Gujarat’s leader in advanced, compassionate neurostimulation!

📞 Contact Us Today

Schedule Your Consultation →

🏥 Parth Hospital, Ahmedabad
3rd Floor Sigma Excellence
Near Management Enclave
Opposite Falguni Gruh Udyog
Ahmedabad, 380015

Consultation Timing:
Monday – Saturday
Morning: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

“Don’t let treatment-resistant depression define your life. At Parth Hospital, we’ve helped 500+ families find hope through personalized, advanced brain stimulation therapy. Your breakthrough could be one consultation away.”