Treating the brain's circuits directly, with care led by a psychiatrist who researches them: how iTBS, deep TMS and tDCS work, the evidence by condition, safety and what to expect.
In this article 21
- What is non-invasive brain stimulation?
- Measure, stimulate, train, re-measure
- Our brain stimulation clinic in Patna: one integrated neuromodulation lab
- iTBS compared with conventional rTMS
- Deep TMS (H7) compared with a standard figure-8 coil
- All our tools at a glance
- What is the difference, and how do I choose?
- Brain stimulation therapy for depression, OCD and more, graded by evidence
- Beyond psychiatry: neurological uses with good evidence
- Can brain stimulation help you learn faster and remember better?
- Champions train the brain too: from Olympic gold to the football pitch
- What to expect during rTMS, iTBS and tDCS treatment
- Maintenance sessions: protecting your recovery
- Is TMS safe? Side effects and the facts about seizures
- Seizures: the real numbers
- You will know the full plan before you begin
- My published work in brain stimulation
- Dr. Saurabh Kumar
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
- About this article
Interventional psychiatry and neuromodulation at Healthy Minds India, Patna, serving patients across India. Part of the published research write-ups.
Brain stimulation is suddenly in the news, from memory research to athletes training their minds. For many of my patients it is something more personal: it is the treatment that helped after medicines and therapy were not enough. I am Dr. Saurabh Kumar, a neuropsychiatrist trained at AIIMS New Delhi. For more than a decade I have delivered, studied and published on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). At Healthy Minds India in Patna, I have brought together theta burst stimulation (iTBS), deep TMS, tDCS, fNIRS brain imaging, EEG-based brain mapping and biofeedback under one roof. Patients travel to us from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Nepal and across India. My aim is simple: to run a brain stimulation clinic in India that offers evidence-based brain stimulation therapy for depression, OCD and other conditions, explained honestly and delivered with precision.
3 min
iTBS session, as effective as the 37.5-minute standard protocol
7
stimulation, imaging and feedback tools in one integrated lab
No
anaesthesia, surgery or memory loss; you go home the same day
About 59
research publications, including peer-reviewed rTMS and tDCS studies
01 · The basics
What is non-invasive brain stimulation?
Every thought, mood and habit runs on electrical signals travelling through networks of brain cells. In depression, OCD or chronic pain, some of these networks become stuck: underactive in one place, overactive in another. Non-invasive brain stimulation gently nudges these circuits back towards healthy activity from outside the head. There is no surgery, no injection and no anaesthesia. You stay awake, and you can go back to work or college the same day.
It works through neuroplasticity, the brain's natural ability to rewire itself. Repeated sessions strengthen weak connections and calm overactive ones, much as regular exercise strengthens a muscle. My clinic uses two families of treatment and a third family of tools to measure the brain before and after treatment.
Family 1: Magnetic
TMS: iTBS and deep TMS
A coil held against the scalp creates brief magnetic pulses that pass painlessly through the skull. They make brain cells fire in a chosen region. This is the most extensively studied form of brain stimulation for depression. Methods: iTBS (theta burst), conventional rTMS, deep TMS (H7 coil).
Family 2: Electrical
tDCS and tACS
Two sponge electrodes pass a very weak current, about 2 milliamps (less than a hearing aid battery supplies), across the scalp. This does not make cells fire. Instead it makes them more or less ready to fire, which primes the brain for therapy and learning. Methods: tDCS in clinic, app-guided supervised tDCS, tACS (research-led).
Family 3: Measuring
fNIRS, qEEG and biofeedback
These tools do not stimulate. They show how the brain and body are working, using blood flow in the frontal lobe (fNIRS), electrical rhythms (EEG/qEEG) and heart rate and stress responses (biofeedback). They help me choose a protocol and track change.
Measure, stimulate, train, re-measure
Most clinics stimulate and then ask how you feel. I prefer to measure. Rating scales tell us how you are doing. Brain and body measures add an objective second view of what is changing.
1 · Measure
Clinical interview and validated scales. Where helpful, fNIRS frontal-lobe activity, EEG/qEEG brain mapping and a biofeedback stress profile.
2 · Stimulate
A protocol matched to the diagnosis: iTBS, deep TMS, tDCS or a combination, targeted to the right brain network.
3 · Train
Stimulation works best alongside therapy (CBT, ERP for OCD, behavioural activation), cognitive training or biofeedback, while the brain is most ready to change.
4 · Re-measure
Repeat scales and brain measures at set points. We adjust, continue or plan maintenance based on data, not guesswork.
02 · Our technologies
Our brain stimulation clinic in Patna: one integrated neuromodulation lab
Each tool has a specific job. Together they let me personalise treatment in a way no single device can.
| Tool | What it is | Evidence and source |
|---|---|---|
| iTBS: intermittent theta burst stimulation | Our signature protocol. iTBS delivers magnetic pulses in rapid bursts that mimic the brain's own natural theta rhythm, the rhythm it uses when it learns. A treatment session takes about 3 minutes instead of 37. | In the landmark THREE-D trial of 414 patients, published in The Lancet, it worked as well as conventional rTMS. The US FDA cleared it for depression in 2018.1 |
| Deep TMS: H7 coil | A specially shaped "H" coil reaches deeper and broader brain regions than a standard coil. The H7 targets the medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, the circuit at the heart of OCD. | FDA-cleared for OCD in 2018 after a multicentre trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.2 |
| tDCS in the clinic | A gentle, silent, direct current delivered under supervision, often at the same time as cognitive training or therapy. It is well suited to depression, to reducing cravings, and to people who prefer the lightest-touch option. | International guidelines rate it as probably effective (Level B) for depression.6 |
| App-guided tDCS, supervised continuation | After initial sessions in the clinic, suitable patients can continue with an app-connected device. I prescribe the protocol, lock the settings and monitor each session remotely. This is never do-it-yourself stimulation. | A trial in Nature Medicine showed that supervised home tDCS significantly improved depression compared with sham.4 |
| fNIRS: functional near-infrared spectroscopy | A lightweight headband shines safe near-infrared light to measure oxygen use in the frontal lobe while you do simple tasks. I use it to see how the frontal brain responds before and after treatment. | In Japan, fNIRS has been used as an aid in the assessment of depressive states for over a decade.19 |
| EEG and qEEG brain mapping | A standard clinical EEG records the brain's electrical rhythms. Quantitative (qEEG) analysis turns these recordings into colour maps and comparisons. It helps screen for abnormalities before stimulation and documents change over a course. | A supportive tool, interpreted alongside clinical assessment. |
| Biofeedback: heart rate variability, breathing, skin conductance | Sensors show your heart rhythm, breathing and stress responses on a screen in real time, so you can learn to control them. It pairs naturally with stimulation for anxiety, panic, insomnia and headache. | A meta-analysis of 24 studies found a large reduction in stress and anxiety with HRV biofeedback (effect size 0.81).16 Biofeedback also reduces migraine frequency.17 |
03 · Why theta burst
iTBS compared with conventional rTMS
Both are proven. iTBS gives the same benefit in a fraction of the time, which makes daily treatment far easier to fit around work, college and travel.
| Feature | Conventional 10 Hz rTMS | iTBS (theta burst) |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulation time per session | About 37.5 minutes | About 3 minutes |
| Pulses per session | 3,000 | 600, delivered in natural theta-rhythm bursts |
| Effectiveness in depression | Proven in many sham-controlled trials | Non-inferior to rTMS in THREE-D (n = 414); response about 49%, remission about 32% in a treatment-resistant group |
| US FDA clearance for depression | 2008 | 2018 |
| Accelerated (multiple sessions a day) options | Impractical because of session length | Feasible. An accelerated iTBS protocol (SAINT) was FDA-cleared in 2022 after 78.6% remission versus 13.3% with sham in its controlled trial3 |
| Side effects | Mild scalp discomfort and headache | Similar; some people find the bursts a little more noticeable in the first few sessions |
| Time off work or study | Around an hour a day including set-up | Often under 20 minutes door to door once settled |
Deep TMS (H7) compared with a standard figure-8 coil
| Feature | Standard figure-8 coil | Deep TMS H7 coil |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | Focused, superficial cortex | Deeper and broader: medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex |
| Best-established use | Depression (left prefrontal) | Treatment-resistant OCD, FDA-cleared in 2018 |
| OCD trial result | Various targets; results vary between studies | Response 38.1% vs 11.1% sham after 6 weeks; 45.2% vs 17.8% at one-month follow-up |
| Session design | About 3 to 37 minutes depending on protocol | About 20 minutes, preceded by a brief, guided symptom provocation |
| Seizure risk | Extremely rare | Still rare, but somewhat higher per patient, so screening is stricter |
All our tools at a glance
| Tool | What it does | Session | Main strengths | Where I use it most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iTBS | Magnetic bursts that strengthen a target circuit | About 3 min | Level A evidence, FDA-cleared, fast | Depression, anxious depression, some OCD and pain protocols |
| Deep TMS H7 | Deeper magnetic stimulation | About 20 min | FDA-cleared for OCD | Treatment-resistant OCD |
| tDCS (clinic) | Weak current that primes circuits | 20 to 30 min | Very gentle, pairs with training | Depression, craving, cognitive training |
| tDCS (app-guided) | Supervised continuation | 20 to 30 min | Fewer visits, RCT-backed | Maintenance, outstation patients |
| Biofeedback | Trains control of stress physiology | 30 to 45 min | Strong HRV evidence, skill for life | Anxiety, panic, headache, sleep, performance |
| fNIRS | Measures frontal-lobe blood flow | 20 to 30 min | Objective before and after data | Baseline and follow-up measurement |
| EEG / qEEG | Records and maps brain rhythms | 30 to 45 min | Safety screening, brain mapping | Pre-treatment screening, cognitive and attention complaints |
04 · TMS versus tDCS
What is the difference, and how do I choose?
TMS makes brain cells fire. tDCS makes them more ready to fire. TMS is the stronger, better-studied treatment for moderate to severe or treatment-resistant illness. tDCS is gentler, cheaper to run and portable, and it is best at boosting what therapy and training are already doing.
Often the answer is both, in sequence. A common plan is iTBS to bring about recovery, then supervised tDCS and biofeedback to keep it, with therapy running alongside throughout. The final decision comes after a full assessment: diagnosis, severity, past treatments, medical history, and your own preferences and practicalities.
05 · Conditions we treat
Brain stimulation therapy for depression, OCD and more, graded by evidence
I grade every indication openly, using the European expert guidelines (Lefaucheur et al.), FDA clearances and major trials. You should know how strong the science is before you begin.5, 6
StrongLevel A or FDA-cleared
GoodLevel B or positive RCTs
EmergingPromising, still being studied
| Condition | Main approach | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression, including treatment-resistant depression | iTBS or rTMS, left prefrontal | Strong | Level A; FDA-cleared. The best-studied use of brain stimulation therapy for depression in India and worldwide. |
| Depression (mild to moderate, or maintenance) | tDCS, clinic or app-guided | Good | Level B; home tDCS RCT: 58.3% vs 37.8% response, 44.9% vs 21.8% remission.4 |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Deep TMS H7; low-frequency rTMS (OFC/SMA) | Strong | H7 FDA-cleared in 2018. My own AIIMS research on orbitofrontal rTMS in drug-resistant OCD is summarised below. |
| Panic disorder and anxiety with depression | Prefrontal rTMS or iTBS plus biofeedback | Good | HRV biofeedback has strong anxiety evidence. My study found panic and depression both improved with rTMS. |
| PTSD | Right prefrontal rTMS | Good | Level B in the 2020 guidelines, used alongside trauma-focused therapy. |
| Craving in alcohol, opioid or nicotine use | tDCS (prefrontal), rTMS | Good | tDCS is Level B for craving; always combined with de-addiction care. |
| Negative symptoms and voices in schizophrenia | Prefrontal rTMS; temporoparietal low-frequency rTMS | Emerging | An add-on to medication, used selectively. |
| Migraine with depression | Prefrontal rTMS; biofeedback | Good | Biofeedback is well supported for migraine. My study showed reduced migraine disability with rTMS. |
| Tics and Tourette syndrome | Low-frequency rTMS over the SMA | Emerging | An area of my published research; considered case by case. |
| Tinnitus | Cathodal tDCS, temporoparietal | Emerging | My co-authored case series found improvement, with better results when started early. |
| Memory and attention difficulties | tDCS or tACS with cognitive training | Emerging | See the learning section below; always paired with structured training. |
Beyond psychiatry: neurological uses with good evidence
Brain stimulation began in neurology, and some of its strongest evidence is there. I work with your neurologist or physiotherapist when these apply. The cards are grouped by how strong the evidence is.
Strong Level A evidence
Neuropathic pain
High-frequency rTMS over the motor cortex on the opposite side to the pain, for example after nerve injury or in some post-stroke pain.
Parkinson's disease
rTMS for motor symptoms and for the depression that often accompanies Parkinson's.
Hand recovery after stroke
Low-frequency rTMS to the healthy hemisphere in the post-acute phase, combined with physiotherapy, to help the damaged side recover.
Good Level B evidence
Speech after stroke (aphasia)
rTMS, and tDCS paired with speech therapy. A randomised trial showed better naming with active tDCS than with sham.13
Fibromyalgia
rTMS and tDCS over the motor cortex reduce widespread pain and improve quality of life.
Multiple sclerosis spasticity
iTBS over the motor cortex to reduce leg stiffness, alongside rehabilitation.
Also worth knowing: single-pulse TMS devices are FDA-cleared for migraine. See also neuropsychiatry at Healthy Minds India.
06 · In the news
Can brain stimulation help you learn faster and remember better?
The research here is genuinely exciting. Carefully timed stimulation, paired with practice, can strengthen the brain's learning machinery. These are the landmark findings.
Skills learned faster, and kept
3 months later
Healthy adults practised a new motor skill for five days with tDCS over the motor cortex. They learned significantly more than those given sham, and they still performed better three months later. The same effect was later shown in older adults (Reis et al., PNAS 2009; Dumel et al., 2018).11
Memory improved in adults aged 65 to 88
1 month
In a double-blind trial of 150 older adults, four daily 20-minute sessions of rhythm-matched stimulation (tACS) improved working memory and long-term memory. The gains lasted at least a month, and people who started with weaker memory benefited most.12
Faster relearning after brain injury
Stroke
When tDCS is paired with speech therapy after stroke, people regain words better than with therapy alone. This is the clearest clinical proof that stimulation plus training beats training alone.13
What this means at Healthy Minds: the lesson from every study is the same: stimulation amplifies training; it does not replace it. In our cognitive lab, tDCS is paired with a structured, Hinglish-friendly programme of memory, attention and planning exercises. I use this for people whose thinking has been dulled by depression, for students and professionals with genuine attention or memory difficulties, and for older adults with early memory complaints. Results vary between individuals, so progress is measured with standard tests and, where useful, fNIRS or qEEG. For conditions such as depression and OCD, TMS remains my proven, first-line stimulation treatment.
Champions train the brain too: from Olympic gold to the football pitch
Elite sport was among the first fields to take brain and body training seriously, because the smallest gain in calm, focus or reaction time decides medals.
Beijing 2008
Abhinav Bindra
India's first individual Olympic gold medallist trained with a sports psychophysiologist using biofeedback and neurofeedback: heart rate variability, breathing, thermal and skin-conductance feedback, and EEG training both in the chair and while shooting. The goal was to stay perfectly still and calm while remaining alert at the moment of the shot.18
150+ hours of training logged
AC Milan's "Mind Room"
The Italian football club built a dedicated biofeedback and neurofeedback centre to train players' stress control and recovery. The respiration techniques developed there were among those used in Bindra's preparation.
Indian hockey
National players have trained with NeuroTracker, a 3D visual attention and processing-speed programme, to sharpen on-field awareness.
What controlled studies show
In a controlled study, 12 sessions of EEG neurofeedback improved reaction time in trained athletes. Reviews of neurofeedback in sport report better stress control and attention, although the trials are still small.
At Healthy Minds India: our biofeedback and cognitive-training programmes use the same principles for students preparing for NEET, JEE and civil services, for performers, and for anyone whose anxiety undermines performance under pressure. See biofeedback.
07 · Your first visit and beyond
What to expect during rTMS, iTBS and tDCS treatment
Consultation
A detailed psychiatric assessment with me, a review of previous treatments, safety screening and rating scales.
Baseline measures
Where indicated: EEG or qEEG, fNIRS and a biofeedback stress profile.
Mapping session
For TMS, we find your motor threshold (a small thumb twitch) to set the right dose and mark the target on a fitted cap.
Treatment course
Regular sessions with weekly reviews, then re-measurement and a plan for maintenance.
During iTBS or TMS
- You sit in a comfortable reclining chair, fully awake.
- You hear clicks (we give earplugs) and feel a tapping on the scalp.
- iTBS takes about 3 minutes and deep TMS about 20.
- You can drive home and return to your day.
During tDCS
- Two moist sponge pads sit on a cap.
- You may feel a mild tingling or itch for the first minute, which then fades.
- Sessions last 20 to 30 minutes.
- Often you do cognitive exercises or therapy tasks at the same time.
How long a course lasts
4 to 6 weeks
Depression courses in the published trials: 5 days a week, 20 to 30 sessions
About 6 weeks
OCD trials used about 29 deep TMS sessions
10 weeks
Home tDCS trials
Your plan is personalised to your diagnosis and response. Most people continue their usual medicines during treatment; I review every prescription beforehand, because a few medicines affect stimulation thresholds.
Maintenance sessions: protecting your recovery
Depression is often a recurring illness. Recovering is one goal, and staying recovered is the next. Evidence now supports planned maintenance sessions after a successful course.
Response at 6 months after a course (pooled data from 18 studies, 732 patients)
With maintenance rTMS61.1%
Without maintenance38.5%
A 2024 meta-analysis of 14 studies (705 patients) found that maintenance rTMS helps maintain remission and prevent relapse. "Rescue" sessions, added at the first signs of slipping, showed a stronger effect.14 A 2023 meta-analysis found maintenance kept mood stable for about five months, and monthly or more frequent sessions extended the benefit to 6 to 12 months.15 Supervised home tDCS gains were also maintained at 6 months.4 My approach: after a successful course, we taper gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Sessions move from daily to weekly and then monthly. We watch for early warning signs and give booster sessions promptly when they appear. For outstation patients, supervised app-guided tDCS can carry part of the maintenance.
08 · Is it safe?
Is TMS safe? Side effects and the facts about seizures
Non-invasive brain stimulation is one of the best-tolerated treatments in psychiatry. There is no anaesthesia, no memory loss and no effect on weight or sexual function. Side effects are mild and short-lived.
| Side effect | How common | How long it lasts | Seriousness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scalp discomfort or tapping sensation (TMS) | Common in early sessions | Only during the session; usually eases within the first week as you get used to it | Mild; the dose can be adjusted |
| Headache (TMS) | Common early on | Usually a few hours; responds to a simple painkiller and becomes less frequent after the first 1 to 2 weeks | Mild |
| Tingling, itching or warmth (tDCS) | Very common | During the first minute or so; fades as the session continues | Mild |
| Skin redness under the pads (tDCS) | Common | Fades within an hour; we check the skin every session | Mild; burns are prevented by correct set-up |
| Tiredness or light-headedness | Occasional | Minutes to hours | Mild |
| Seizure (TMS) | Very rare (see below) | Brief; stops on its own | Serious but short-lived, with no lasting harm in reported cases |
For tDCS, a large safety review covering more than 33,200 sessions in over 1,000 people found no serious adverse effects with standard protocols.10
Seizures: the real numbers
18
seizures reported across 586,656 TMS sessions in 25,526 patients, in a survey of clinical TMS practices
About 1 in 32,000
sessions overall, or 0.31 per 10,000 sessions and 0.71 per 1,000 patients
Fewer than 1 in 60,000
sessions when modern safety guidelines are followed; most published cases predate current screening rules
About 6 in 10,000
patients with deep H-coil TMS (2010 to 2020). The rate fell about threefold in recent years, and every seizure stopped by itself without injury
Putting it in context: accelerated iTBS trials, which deliver 50 sessions in 5 days, reported no seizures. For comparison, a widely used antidepressant, bupropion, carries a seizure risk of about 1 in 1,000 patients at standard doses. That is well above the risk per TMS course. tDCS has not been shown to cause seizures. Our screening checks sleep, alcohol, medicines and personal and family seizure history before every course. A trained team is present during every session.7, 8, 9
You will know the full plan before you begin
Every protocol at Healthy Minds India follows published clinical guidelines. The type of stimulation, the number of sessions and the overall plan depend on your diagnosis, severity and early response, so I discuss them only after I have assessed you properly, never as a one-size-fits-all package. After your assessment, you will receive a clear, written explanation of the recommended treatment, its expected course, how we will measure progress and all related details. We believe in complete transparency, and there are no surprises midway.
09 · Research made simple
My published work in brain stimulation
I do not just deliver brain stimulation. I have studied it, published on it and taught it. Here are my neuromodulation studies at a glance. The full list of about 59 publications is on the research page, and a plain-language summary of the OCD work is in rTMS for OCD: what a study of 79 patients found.
Calming the overactive OCD circuit
Lead author
25 patients who failed two or more medicines: 52% partial response, 44% full response; gains held at 1 month. Low-frequency rTMS to the orbitofrontal cortex. J ECT 2017.
One treatment, two conditions: panic and depression
Lead author
13 treatment-resistant patients: panic severity fell 38% and depression score 40% with high-frequency prefrontal rTMS. Australas Psychiatry 2018.
Easing migraine by treating the mood centre
Lead author
14 patients: migraine disability (MIDAS) fell from 21.1 to 13.9 with prefrontal rTMS in migraine with depression. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2018.
When antidepressants are not enough
Co-author
22 patients with 2+ failed medicines, 15 sessions over 3 weeks: about 50% responded. Indian J Psychiatry 2018.
Two brain targets, one encouraging answer for OCD
Second author
79 patients: 57% partial response, 40.5% full response; SMA and OFC equally effective. J ECT 2019.
Quieting tinnitus with tDCS
Co-author
Cathodal tDCS over the hearing cortex improved tinnitus distress in every participant (P = 0.026); results were better when the illness was shorter. Noise Health 2018.
I have also published on rTMS in tic disorders and Tourette syndrome, on tDCS for opioid craving (Brain Stimulation 2019), on where rTMS stands in OCD (Neuropsychiatry 2016), and reported a first-of-its-kind case of new-onset OCD during rTMS for schizophrenia. That case is a reminder of why careful monitoring matters.
10 · About me
Dr. Saurabh Kumar
My interest in brain stimulation began at AIIMS New Delhi, where I trained in psychiatry. I later worked as Senior Resident and Senior Research Officer and studied patients treated in the institute's brain stimulation service. The questions I saw there shaped my research. Why does one person with OCD respond while another does not? Can one treatment ease both panic and depression? These questions led to peer-reviewed papers, international conference presentations and an abstract in Brain Stimulation. I also spent two years as Senior Registrar at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, a WHO Collaborating Centre. That is where my work on craving and addiction comes from. I have taught psychiatry at Dr. RML Hospital in Delhi and at PMCH in Patna, and I now head the Department of Psychiatry at RDJM Medical College. I built the neuromodulation lab at Healthy Minds India so that patients in Bihar and eastern India would not need to travel to a metro city for care of this standard. Every patient is assessed by me personally. Every protocol is chosen from the evidence. Every result is measured. More on my profile page.
Frequently asked questions about brain stimulation treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TMS and tDCS?
TMS uses magnetic pulses that make brain cells fire. It is stronger and better proven for moderate to severe depression and OCD. tDCS uses a very weak current that makes cells more ready to fire. It is gentler, and it works best when combined with therapy or training. See TMS treatment.
Does it hurt? Is it like ECT?
No. You are awake throughout, with no anaesthesia and no fit induced. TMS feels like tapping on the scalp, and tDCS like a mild tingle. Neither affects memory.
Is iTBS as effective as regular TMS?
Yes. In the largest head-to-head trial, 3-minute iTBS was as effective as the 37.5-minute standard protocol for depression, with similar side effects.
How many sessions will I need?
Published depression courses usually involve 20 to 30 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks. OCD and tDCS courses differ. You will get a clear, personalised plan after your assessment.
Can brain stimulation really help me learn a new skill faster?
Controlled studies show that stimulation paired with practice can improve learning and memory, with benefits lasting weeks to months. It amplifies training rather than replacing it, and results vary. It is offered within a structured, measured cognitive programme.
What will fNIRS or qEEG show?
They show how your frontal brain and brain rhythms are working, and how these change with treatment. They support clinical judgement but do not replace a psychiatric diagnosis.
Who should not have TMS or tDCS?
People with metal implants in the head, cochlear implants or implanted electronic devices near the coil. People with epilepsy, recent head injury or pregnancy need individual assessment first.
How is the cost of treatment decided?
The plan depends on your diagnosis, the protocol and your response, so full details are shared transparently after your assessment, before you begin.
Can I continue my medicines?
In most cases, yes. Stimulation is usually added to your current treatment. Your prescriptions are reviewed first, because a few medicines need adjustment.
I live outside Patna. Can I still get treatment?
Yes. Many of our patients come from other districts and states. The initial course is planned efficiently, and suitable patients can continue maintenance through supervised, app-guided tDCS with online reviews.
Is there a brain stimulation clinic in Bihar or eastern India?
Yes. Healthy Minds India in Patna offers iTBS, rTMS, deep TMS (H7 coil), tDCS, fNIRS, EEG/qEEG and biofeedback under one roof, led by an AIIMS-trained neuropsychiatrist. Patients come from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Nepal.
Will the benefit last?
For many people, yes. Planned maintenance sessions significantly reduce relapse, and you are monitored so that booster sessions can start early if needed.
References
Key references, in order of first mention.
- Blumberger DM, et al. Effectiveness of theta burst versus high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with depression (THREE-D): a randomised non-inferiority trial. Lancet 2018; 391: 1683-1692.
- Carmi L, et al. Efficacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry 2019; 176: 931-938.
- Cole EJ, et al. Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT): a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179: 132-141.
- Woodham RD, et al. Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder: a fully remote phase 2 randomized sham-controlled trial. Nat Med 2025; 31: 87-95.
- Lefaucheur JP, et al. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): an update (2014-2018). Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131: 474-528.
- Lefaucheur JP, et al. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128: 56-92.
- Taylor R, et al. Seizure risk with repetitive TMS: survey results from over a half-million treatment sessions. Brain Stimul 2021; 14: 965-973.
- Tendler A, et al. Seizures provoked by H-coils from 2010 to 2020. Brain Stimul 2021.
- Lerner AJ, et al. Seizures from transcranial magnetic stimulation 2012-2016. Clin Neurophysiol 2019.
- Bikson M, et al. Safety of transcranial direct current stimulation: evidence based update 2016. Brain Stimul 2016; 9: 641-661.
- Reis J, et al. Noninvasive cortical stimulation enhances motor skill acquisition over multiple days through an effect on consolidation. PNAS 2009; 106: 1590-1595.
- Grover S, et al. Long-lasting, dissociable improvements in working memory and long-term memory in older adults with repetitive neuromodulation. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25: 1237-1246.
- Fridriksson J, et al. Transcranial direct current stimulation vs sham stimulation to treat aphasia after stroke: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol 2018; 75: 1470-1476.
- Maintenance rTMS for major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis. J ECT 2024.
- Trajectory of changes in depressive symptoms after acute rTMS: a meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Asian J Psychiatr.
- Goessl VC, Curtiss JE, Hofmann SG. The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on stress and anxiety: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2017; 47: 2578-2586.
- Nestoriuc Y, Martin A. Efficacy of biofeedback for migraine: a meta-analysis. Pain 2007.
- Harkness T. Psykinetics and biofeedback: Abhinav Bindra wins India's first-ever individual gold medal in Beijing Olympics. Biofeedback 2009; 37(2): 48.
- Takizawa R, et al. Neuroimaging-aided differential diagnosis of the depressive state. Neuroimage 2014.
- Yamazaki R, et al. Maintenance rTMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression: study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2023.
About this article
Written and medically reviewed by
- MD (Psychiatry) AIIMS New Delhi
- Associate Professor & HOD, Dept. of Psychiatry, RDJM Medical College, Muzaffarpur
- Ex-Assistant Professor, PMCH Patna
- Consultant, Healthy Minds India, Patna
- Published
- 6 October 2026
- Format
- Research made simple
- Focus
- Non-invasive brain stimulation: iTBS, deep TMS, tDCS, biofeedback
- Sources
- 20 references
- This page does not diagnose any condition. Treatment suitability is decided after individual assessment. Seizure and efficacy figures are from the published studies cited and are rounded.
- For education and awareness only. It does not diagnose any condition and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified mental health professional.
© 2026 Healthy Minds India, Patna · Edition 1.0, September 2026, 2026
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For general education; not a substitute for a personal consultation. If you or someone close to you is in distress, please speak to a qualified mental health professional.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Saurabh Kumar, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Healthy Minds India, Patna. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. To discuss your situation, book an appointment or contact the clinic.
Disclaimer: all characters and events depicted in this blog are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
