Clinical Hub

Accelerated rTMS (iTBS) for depression is now available at our Gold Coast and Melbourne clinics.

0466 352 811

For the clinicians— who refer to us.

Deep-dive evidence, protocol detail, off-label data, our patient tracking app, and fast referral tools — everything you need to refer with confidence and keep your patients informed.

TGA

Approved
for TRD

MBS

14217
Listed

DVA

Gold Card
Accepted

3

Psych
Consults

Clinical Evidence

Off-label & investigational — what the data shows.

All off-label use at BrainAid Clinics is applied under psychiatrist oversight with full informed consent and documented risk-benefit discussion. The following summaries include protocol detail not typically shared in patient-facing materials.

Off-label indications are not TGA-approved and are not eligible for MBS 14217. Patients are fully informed prior to commencement.

TGA Approved

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

High-frequency (10Hz) rTMS to the left DLPFC is the TGA-approved and MBS-listed protocol for TRD. Response rates across major RCTs range from 45–55%, with remission in 30–35%. Neuronavigation has been shown to improve DLPFC localisation accuracy from the population-average 5cm rule (±18mm) to sub-millimetre precision, with emerging evidence that improved targeting correlates with improved outcomes (Fitzgerald et al., 2009; Herbsman et al., 2009).

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

10Hz HF-rTMS, left DLPFC, MRI-neuronavigated. 3,000 pulses/session at 120% RMT. Course length determined by treating psychiatrist. PHQ-9 and DASS-21 tracked every ~10 days via our patient app.

Fitzgerald et al. (2009) Brain Stimul; Herbsman et al. (2009) Hum Brain Mapp; NICE NG222 (2022)

Off-Label

PTSD & Trauma-Related Disorders

Both LF (1Hz) right DLPFC and HF (10Hz) left DLPFC protocols have demonstrated efficacy in PTSD. A 2020 meta-analysis (n=228 across 8 RCTs) found significant reductions in PTSD symptom scores (Hedges’ g = 0.83). The right DLPFC protocol may have particular utility in hyperarousal-dominant presentations. Neuronavigation allows individualised lateralisation decisions based on structural and functional profile.

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

Protocol selected by treating psychiatrist based on symptom profile: LF 1Hz right DLPFC (hyperarousal predominant) or HF 10Hz left DLPFC (avoidance/numbing predominant). PCL-5 tracked throughout via app.

Karsen et al. (2014) Brain Stimul; Philip et al. (2019) J Affect Disord; Yan et al. (2020) J Psychiatr Res

Off-Label

Chronic Pain, Neuropathic Pain & Fibromyalgia

Motor cortex (M1) rTMS at 10Hz has the most robust analgesic evidence base for neuropathic pain, with meta-analytic NNT of ~5. DLPFC rTMS adds a descending pain modulation mechanism. A 2022 RCT (Mhalla et al.) directly comparing rTMS vs tDCS in fibromyalgia found 66.6% of rTMS patients achieved ≥30% pain reduction vs 33.3% tDCS. Effect durability favoured rTMS at 4-week follow-up. BrainAid uses neuronavigation to ensure precise M1 or DLPFC targeting depending on pain phenotype.

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

HF 10Hz M1 (hand area, contralateral) for focal neuropathic pain; HF 10Hz left DLPFC for fibromyalgia/widespread pain. VAS and BPI tracked via app. Course length at treating psychiatrist’s discretion.

Lefaucheur et al. (2020) Clin Neurophysiol; Mhalla et al. (2022) J Pain Res; O’Connell et al. Cochrane (2018)

Off-Label

Brain Fog, Cognitive Fatigue & Post-COVID Cognition

Prefrontal rTMS has demonstrated improvements in processing speed, working memory, and cognitive endurance across multiple populations. A 2023 pilot RCT in Long COVID (n=40) found HF left DLPFC rTMS significantly improved cognitive fatigue scores and Digit Span performance vs sham (p<0.01). Neuronavigation is particularly important here, as prefrontal anatomy is highly variable and accurate DLPFC targeting is critical to cognitive outcomes.

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

HF 10Hz left DLPFC, neuronavigated. MoCA and cognitive subscales of DASS tracked via app. Typically combined with TMF Movement and Food protocols to maximise neuroplasticity.

Saltmarche et al. (2017) J Alzheimers Dis; Harel et al. (2023) J Neurol Sci; Huth et al. (2023) medRxiv

Off-Label

Generalised Anxiety & Comorbid Anxiety-Depression

LF (1Hz) right DLPFC has demonstrated anxiolytic effects in multiple RCTs, with a 2017 meta-analysis (n=782) finding significant reduction in anxiety symptom scores (SMD = −0.56, 95% CI −0.79 to −0.33). In comorbid anxiety-depression, bilateral protocols (LF right + HF left) may offer superior outcomes. GAD-7 tracked every ~10 days provides longitudinal response data.

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

LF 1Hz right DLPFC for pure anxiety; bilateral sequential protocol for comorbid anxiety-depression at treating psychiatrist’s discretion. GAD-7 tracked every ~10 days via app.

Trevizol et al. (2016) J ECT; Dilkov et al. (2017) Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

Investigational — tDCS

tDCS: Depression Augmentation, Cognition, Pain

tDCS at BrainAid Clinics is offered as an investigational modality. The ELECT-TDCS trial (n=245, Brunoni et al. 2017) found tDCS non-inferior to escitalopram in MDD, with additive effects when combined. For cognitive rehabilitation, anodal left DLPFC tDCS has shown consistent working memory improvements across populations. Home-based protocols using the Aerobe Mini-CT device are available, with clinician-programmed parameters and remote monitoring. Not TGA-approved. All use under explicit informed consent and psychiatrist oversight.

Protocol at BrainAid Clinics

2mA anodal left DLPFC, 20–30 min/session. Home-based via Aerobe Mini-CT (clinician-programmed). PHQ-9 and GAD-7 tracked via app. Typically used as augmentation or for patients with rTMS contraindications.

Brunoni et al. (2017) JAMA Psychiatry; Dedoncker et al. (2016) Neuropsychol Rev; Bikson et al. (2016) Brain Stimul

Validated Instruments

The questionnaires we use — and why.

Depression

PHQ-9 — Patient Health Questionnaire

The gold-standard depression screening and severity tool used in Australian primary care and psychiatric settings. 9 items mapping directly to DSM-5 MDD criteria. Scores 0–27; clinically meaningful response defined as ≥50% reduction; remission as score ≤4. Administered every ~10 days to capture every ~10 days trajectory rather than periodic snapshots.

9 items

0–27 scale

DSM-5 aligned

Every session

MBS compatible

Anxiety

GAD-7 — Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale

The most widely used brief anxiety measure in primary care, with validated cut-offs for mild (5), moderate (10), and severe (15) anxiety. Particularly useful in the anxiety-depression comorbidity context that characterises many rTMS referrals. GAD-7 trajectory data provides objective evidence of anxiolytic response for referrers using anxiety as a secondary treatment target.

7 items

0–21 scale

Comorbidity tracking

Every session

Mood, Stress & Anxiety

DASS-10 — Depression Anxiety Stress Scales

The abbreviated 10-item version of the DASS-21, capturing three subscales (Depression, Anxiety, Stress) efficiently across the treatment period. Stress is a distinct clinical construct not captured by PHQ-9 or GAD-7, and is particularly relevant in chronic pain and burnout presentations. The DASS-10 provides a broader clinical picture with minimal patient burden.

10 items

3 subscales

Stress domain

Low burden

Lovibond & Lovibond

Functional Health

DUKE Health Profile

A 17-item multidimensional health status measure covering physical, mental, and social function, as well as perceived health, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, pain, and disability. The DUKE profile is particularly valuable in chronic pain and complex presentations where functional recovery — not just symptom reduction — is the treatment goal. Scores on 0–100 scales for each domain, enabling nuanced reporting to referrers on overall health trajectory alongside condition-specific measures.

17 items

Multidimensional

Physical function

Social function

Pain & disability

0–100 domains

Report cadence for referring clinicians

1. Commencement report — baseline scores + treatment plan

2. Mid-treatment report — trajectory graphs + clinical narrative

3. Discharge summary — full course data + recommendations

+ Ad hoc reports available on request at any point

“Objective, every ~10 days data — so you always know how your patient is responding, not just how they felt at the last appointment.”

Explore More

⚡

Treatments

rTMS and tDCS clinical detail.

🧬

Conditions

Full conditions and evidence.

📋

Make a Referral

For clinicians — forms and info.

🏠

For Patients

Patient-facing homepage.

Patient Tracking App

Objective data, every step of your patient's treatment.

Every patient completes validated questionnaires throughout their course. You receive structured reports — so you always know how they’re responding, not just at discharge.

Track & Report

Validated questionnaires are completed by your patient approximately every 10 days throughout treatment — capturing longitudinal trajectory, not just snapshots at start and end.

Structured Reports to Your Inbox

Your GP or psychiatrist receives a commencement report, mid-treatment update, and discharge summary — each including score trajectories and a clinical narrative. Ad hoc reports available on request at any point.

Clinical Oversight & Protocol Review

Our team actively monitors scores throughout the course. If data signals insufficient response or emerging concerns, we liaise directly with the treating psychiatrist — adjusting protocol parameters before discharge if clinically indicated.

Validated instruments used

Patient Health Questionnaire

Gold-standard depression severity. DSM-5 aligned. Response ≥50% reduction; remission ≤4.

PHQ-9

Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale

Validated cut-offs for mild (5), moderate (10), and severe (15) anxiety. Essential for comorbid presentations.

GAD-7

Depression Anxiety Stress Scales

Validated cut-offs for mild (5), moderate (10), and severe (15) anxiety. Essential for comorbid presentations.

DASS-10

DUKE Health Profile

Validated cut-offs for mild (5), moderate (10), and severe (15) anxiety. Essential for comorbid presentations.

DUKE

Report cadence for referring clinicians

01 Commencement Report

Baseline scores + treatment plan

02 Mid-Treatment Update

Trajectory graphs + clinical narrative

03 Discharge Summary

Full course data + recommendations

+

Ad Hoc

On request, any point in treatment

Our team doesn’t just send scores — we actively double-check whether the protocol is working. If anything should be adjusted mid-course, we flag it to the treating psychiatrist before the window closes. You refer with confidence. We keep you informed.

Explore More

⚡

Treatments

rTMS and tDCS clinical detail.

🧬

Conditions

Full conditions and evidence.

📋

Make a Referral

For clinicians — forms and info.

🏠

For Patients

Patient-facing homepage.

Clinical Blog

Evidence, opinion & clinical updates.

Written for clinicians by clinicians. These articles go deeper than patient-facing content — covering trial data, protocol rationale, emerging indications, and clinical opinion on neuromodulation practice in Australia.

Neurologist

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How Breathing Techniques Can Help Calm the Nervous System

How Breathing Techniques Can Help Calm the Nervous System In moments of stress and anxiety, we often forget to manage

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The Link Between Gut Health and Emotional Wellbeing

The Link Between Gut Health and Emotional Wellbeing You’ve probably felt it before: the knot in your stomach before a

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Why Mental Health Check-Ups Are Just as Important as Physical Health

Why Mental Health Check-Ups Are Just as Important as Physical Health You wouldn’t skip your annual physical, ignore chest pain,

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TMS Therapy vs Antidepressants: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?

TMS Therapy vs Antidepressants: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You? If you’ve been managing depression for any

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Can WorkCover Fund TMS Therapy for Chronic Pain?

Can WorkCover Fund TMS Therapy for Chronic Pain? What Injured Workers and Their Treatment Teams Need to Know This is

Explore More

⚡

Treatments

rTMS and tDCS clinical detail.

🧬

Conditions

Full conditions and evidence.

📋

Make a Referral

For clinicians — forms and info.

🏠

For Patients

Patient-facing homepage.

Fast Referral

Three ways to refer right now.

📄

Download & Email

Download our structured referral form, complete digitally, and email to info@brainaidclinics.com

📞

Call Our Clinical Team

Speak directly with our clinical coordinator. Clinical discussions welcome before referral.

📨

Email Direct

Send a referral letter or clinical summary directly by email. We respond within 1 business day.

Medicare Eligibility — MBS 14217 (Quick Reference)

Eligible (Medicare-funded)

✓ Treatment-resistant depression
✓ Failed ≥2 adequate antidepressant trials
✓ GP or specialist referral present
✓ DVA Gold Card holders (separate pathway)

Off-label / Self-funded

· PTSD, anxiety, OCD
· Chronic pain, fibromyalgia
· Cognitive fatigue / brain fog
· tDCS (all indications, investigational)

Full Referral Information

Need more detail?

Visit our dedicated referral page for the full clinical picture — including the comparison table, evidence summaries, what to include in a referral letter, and our commitments to referring clinicians.