Deep TMS for major depression resistant to medication

No. Magnetic stimulation is non-invasive and painless. You may feel slight tingling or a tapping sensation on the scalp during the session, but this disappears at the end. Some patients may experience jaw muscle contraction during treatment.

No. rTMS is done without anesthesia, sedation or medication. You are awake and can resume your activities immediately afterward.

Each treatment lasts approximately 10 minutes. Treatments are spaced with a 50-minute rest period between each session.

The SWIFT protocol is an intensive treatment protocol for major depression cleared by the FDA on September 16, 2025. It includes 6 half-days in clinic, where 1 treatment is administered every hour, for a total of 5 treatments per visit (30 treatments in 6 days). After this intensive phase, patients attend 1 clinic visit per week, where 2 treatments are administered. This results in a total of 38 treatments over 5 weeks, spread across 10 clinic visits. This protocol demonstrates significantly higher effectiveness compared to traditional protocols, where 36 treatments are spread over 9 weeks.

The SWIFT intensive protocol is offered at a cost of $7,960. This price includes the evaluation with the psychiatrist, 38 treatments (10 minutes each), access to a private rest room, snacks and healthy lunches, support from the professional team, and post-treatment follow-ups.

No. The Quebec Health Insurance Board (RAMQ) does not cover this service in private clinics.

Yes, some private insurances offer partial or full reimbursement, depending on your contract. Additionally, certain specific programs (e.g., Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces) may cover the treatment.

Deep TMS is particularly indicated for major depression.

Improvements are generally felt after the 3rd or 4th half-day of intensive treatment. Some individuals experience a more gradual improvement that unfolds in the days and weeks following the end of the intensive phase.

Yes. Studies show that rTMS effects are stable long-term. In some cases, a maintenance protocol (a few additional sessions per year) may be recommended.

Side effects are rare and generally mild: slight headaches, mild jaw pain or discomfort, feeling of fatigue after the session. These effects usually disappear quickly without treatment.

Antidepressants act on brain chemistry, but can cause significant side effects. rTMS acts directly on the brain's electrical activity to rebalance mood circuits, without medication and without systemic side effects.

Traditional rTMS only stimulates superficial layers of the brain. Deep TMS (Neuroperforma) reaches deeper and wider areas thanks to H-Coil technology → better efficacy and faster results.

Yes, but we include it free of charge through a video conference meeting with our affiliated physician.

No. rTMS can be combined with your current treatments. Any medication adjustment should be discussed with your doctor.

rTMS is safe, but certain conditions require prior evaluation (e.g., metal implants in the head, cardiac pacemakers). An initial interview serves to verify your eligibility.

Currently, the intensive rTMS protocol is offered only at the Neuroperforma clinic in Saint-Hubert.

No. Snacks and beverages are included for patients, but accommodation is not. We recommend that patients coming from outside the area book a nearby hotel.

Yes. A companion can be admitted with you in your rest room. Please note that meals are not provided for them.