TMS treatment for OCD

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for OCD works by using a repetitive magnetic pulse to calm the parts of the brain that cause the symptoms and behaviours of obsessive compulsive disorder.

The full treatment of TMS for OCD can need up to 30 sessions, which are split into two courses of fifteen sessions. These treatment sessions place over three to six weeks, with some patients having more than one session in a day. Sessions won’t take any longer than 45 minutes each.

To find out more about how TMS can work for OCD, please read testimonials from patients who’ve been freed from their compulsions after receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment.

Research has shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can reduce the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.

TMS only treats the brain circuits involved in your condition, rather than flooding the brain with chemicals.

With no anaesthetic, no need for hospitalisation and no recovery time, it’s a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments, with fewer side-effects than medication.

TMS and OCD improvement rates

A systematic review of the treatment of OCD with TMS was conducted by Zhou in 2017, who reviewed twenty studies with 791 patients. They concluded that TMS gave clinically significant improvements compared to a placebo. Arns reported in 2018 that TMS can lead to remission rates in about 30% of OCD patients and a clinically significant improvement in 55% who had failed to respond to medication and psychotherapy.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

We usually recommend an initial course of 15 treatment sessions to make sure TMS works for you.

Additional treatment is booked in courses of 15 sessions.

Dr Neal and his team understand the need to help out patients stay well beyond the end of their TMS treatment. Using research and our own experience, we have designed aftercare packages to provide ongoing care with a planned programme of regular top-up treatments.

Have you had rTMS or TMS treatment for OCD at another clinic? Smart TMS can offer you maintenance therapy, too.