Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a challenging condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). It affects roughly 2% to 3% of the population. Traditional treatment combines SSRIs and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, but 40% to 60% of patients don't find adequate relief from these first-line approaches.
FDA Clearance for OCD
In August 2018, the FDA granted De Novo clearance for Deep TMS using the BrainsWay H7 coil to treat OCD. This was a landmark moment, marking the first new psychiatric indication for TMS in nearly a decade. Deep TMS remains the only TMS platform FDA-cleared specifically for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How Deep TMS for OCD Differs
Standard TMS for depression targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Deep TMS for OCD targets different and deeper brain structures, specifically the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions known to be hyperactive in people with OCD. Treatment sessions typically begin with brief individualized symptom provocation to activate the relevant circuits before stimulation is delivered.
The Clinical Evidence
The pivotal multicenter trial that supported FDA clearance enrolled 99 treatment-resistant OCD patients across 11 medical centers. Patients receiving active Deep TMS achieved a 38.1% response rate at the end of treatment, compared to 11.1% in the sham group. At the one-month follow-up, response rates climbed further to 45.2% in the active group versus 17.8% in the sham group.
Real-world data has confirmed these findings. A 2021 multicenter analysis published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found that 52.4% of patients in real-world clinical practice achieved at least one month of sustained response, often with improvements beginning within the first 20 sessions.
Find a TMS Clinic for OCD
Not every TMS clinic offers Deep TMS for OCD, since it requires the specific BrainsWay H7 coil. Search our directory to find verified clinics offering OCD treatment, and confirm with each provider that they have the H7 coil before scheduling.
Sources
- 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. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2019. PubMed
- Roth Y, et al. Real-world efficacy of deep TMS for OCD. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021. PubMed
- FDA De Novo Clearance, BrainsWay Deep TMS System for OCD, August 2018.