rTMS Therapy in Bangalore
(Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
SENSE Health is one of the very few dedicated stroke and neuro rehabilitation hospitals in Bangalore offering Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) — a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy, used alongside physiotherapy and other rehabilitation, that research shows can help arm and hand recovery and may help language and thinking after stroke.
The 2020 European expert evidence-based guidelines on rTMS (Lefaucheur et al., Clinical Neurophysiology) rated low-frequency rTMS of the unaffected side of the brain Level A, "definite efficacy", for hand motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke — the guideline's highest rating.
What Is rTMS and How Does It Work?
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses a magnetic coil placed near the scalp to generate brief magnetic pulses. These pulses pass through the skull and stimulate neurons in targeted cortical regions without surgery or anaesthesia. Most people feel a tapping on the scalp; some have scalp discomfort or a mild headache.
One widely used explanation is that after a stroke the two hemispheres of the brain can become imbalanced, with the unaffected side damping down activity on the damaged side. Researchers now see this as a simplification that does not fit every patient, which is one reason protocols are chosen individually. rTMS is used in two main ways:
Applied to the unaffected hemisphere to reduce its activity. This is the approach rated Level A for hand motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke (Lefaucheur et al., 2020).
Applied to the affected hemisphere to increase activity there. The 2020 guidelines rated this Level B, "probable efficacy", for motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke.
rTMS is given alongside physiotherapy, on the idea that it may make the brain more responsive to training. A 2023 systematic review in Stroke (57 studies, 2,595 patients) found benefits for arm movement, strength, language, overall thinking skills and visual neglect, but cautioned that results vary widely across many small trials.
What the Clinical Evidence Shows
The 2020 European expert guidelines on rTMS rated low-frequency rTMS of the unaffected hemisphere Level A ("definite efficacy", their highest rating) for hand motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke.
Source: Lefaucheur et al., Clin Neurophysiol 2020In a retrospective review of 23 stroke patients at one clinic, 70% improved on at least one measure when rTMS was combined with physiotherapy; bilateral stimulation was linked to 2.8× higher odds of improvement. The review had no control group.
Source: Frontiers in Neurology 2026 (Jacques et al.)A meta-analysis of 19 trials with 865 stroke patients found rTMS improved arm function (Fugl-Meyer upper extremity, by about 1.9 points on average) and daily-living independence (Barthel index, by about 9.7 points); which protocol helped depended on stroke stage and severity.
Source: Frontiers in Neurology 2024 (Li et al.)Sources: Lefaucheur et al., rTMS Evidence-Based Guidelines (2020) · Jacques et al., Frontiers in Neurology (2026) · PMC — rTMS Upper Limb Recovery Meta-Analysis · AHA Journals — rTMS for Stroke Recovery (2023)
Where rTMS May Help
rTMS at SENSE Health, Bangalore
At SENSE Health, rTMS is delivered as part of our integrated stroke and neuro rehabilitation programme — given alongside physiotherapy and occupational therapy, with other therapies such as Robotic Gait Training or HBOT added when clinically appropriate.
- →Non-invasive, performed fully clothed with no anaesthesia required
- →Personalised stimulation protocols based on stroke type, location, and recovery phase
- →Can be combined with other therapies, such as RAGT or HBOT, when clinically appropriate
- →Supervised by trained clinicians with appropriate pre-treatment safety screening
- →Available for inpatients and outpatients at Kalyan Nagar, HRBR Layout, Bengaluru
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)?
rTMS uses a magnetic coil held against the head to generate brief magnetic pulses that stimulate neurons in targeted brain regions without surgery or anaesthesia. In stroke rehabilitation it is used alongside therapy to increase or reduce activity in chosen brain areas, with the aim of supporting arm, hand, language or other recovery.
What does the evidence say about rTMS for stroke?
The 2020 European expert guidelines rated low-frequency rTMS of the unaffected hemisphere Level A ("definite efficacy", their highest rating) for hand motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke, and rated other stroke uses, such as for non-fluent aphasia, lower. The authors note that a proven effect is not always large enough to matter in daily life. A meta-analysis of 19 studies with 865 patients found modest average improvements in arm function and Barthel index scores. In the US, the FDA has cleared TMS devices for depression, OCD, smoking cessation and migraine, but not for stroke rehabilitation. In a small retrospective review of 23 patients (Frontiers in Neurology, 2026), 70% improved on at least one measure when rTMS was combined with physiotherapy.
Is rTMS painful or safe?
rTMS is non-invasive and done while you are awake and fully clothed; no anaesthesia is needed. Most people feel a tapping on the scalp, and some get scalp discomfort, neck pain or a headache, which usually pass. Earplugs are worn because the coil clicks loudly. The most serious known risk is a seizure, which is rare: an international survey estimated about 7 seizures per 100,000 sessions, with a higher rate in people with brain lesions such as stroke. Before treatment we screen for epilepsy and for implants such as pacemakers, cochlear implants or metal clips in the head. All rTMS at SENSE Health is conducted under clinical supervision.
How many rTMS sessions are needed for stroke recovery?
The number of sessions depends on the condition, phase of recovery, and individual response. A full clinical assessment at SENSE Health determines the personalised treatment plan. Most protocols involve daily sessions over 2–4 weeks, combined with physiotherapy.
Where can I get rTMS in Bangalore?
SENSE Health at AVR Heights, 100 Feet Road, HRBR Layout 1st Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560043 is one of the very few dedicated neuro rehabilitation hospitals in Bangalore offering rTMS therapy. Call +91 9663334659 to book a free consultation.
Start rTMS Therapy in Bangalore
Book a free consultation at SENSE Health, Kalyan Nagar to discuss rTMS for your stroke recovery.
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