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TMS, rTMS and dTMS: The Differences in Plain English

Aug. 31 2025, updated on June 1 2026,
Treatment options
1 min read
Flow Neuroscience
Reviewed by Dr Kultar Singh Garcha
Chief Medical Officer
TL;DR
  • Multiple magnetic brain stimulation types exist for depression. If you're exploring magnetic stimulation, you'll encounter different types: TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), rTMS (repetitive TMS), and dTMS (deep TMS). Understanding the differences helps informed decisions.
  • TMS delivers magnetic pulses to specific brain regions. Basic TMS uses electromagnetic coils placed on the scalp to generate magnetic fields that stimulate nerve cells in targeted brain areas, particularly those involved in mood regulation.
  • rTMS provides repeated pulses in treatment sessions. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivers multiple magnetic pulses in rapid succession during treatment sessions. This repetition creates cumulative effects on brain activity patterns.
  • dTMS reaches deeper brain structures. Deep TMS uses specially designed coils that penetrate deeper into the brain, potentially reaching structures further from the skull surface than standard TMS approaches.
  • All forms show effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression. Research supports various magnetic stimulation approaches for depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. The best choice depends on individual circumstances and provider expertise.

If you’re exploring magnetic brain stimulation, you’ll come across different types: TMS, rTMS, and dTMS. While all use magnetic fields to stimulate the brain, they differ in how the pulses are delivered, how deep the stimulation goes, and who they’re most suited for.

The Variants

  • TMS: A single, steady pulse targeting surface brain areas.

  • rTMS: Delivers thousands of repeated pulses per session to strengthen the effect over time.

  • dTMS: Uses an H-coil to reach deeper brain structures, potentially affecting broader brain networks.

Why the Differences Matter

  • Repetition: rTMS sessions are designed to create more lasting brain changes through repeated stimulation.

  • Depth: dTMS can access deeper regions that standard TMS might miss, which can be useful for certain complex or resistant cases.

If you’re unsure which is right for you, a clinician can guide you based on your medical history, how severe your symptoms are, and what you’ve already tried.

Read the full guide to depression treatments here.