Depression treatment for veterans in Quebec — SWIFT™ Protocol (Deep TMS)
When previous treatments have provided only partial or insufficient relief, Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — SWIFT™ protocol — may represent a clinically validated option worth exploring. At Neuroperforma, we offer a clear pathway, a structured evaluation and compassionate support.
Because after service, access to serious, respectful, evidence-based care should not be a complicated journey.
Specialized support for veterans living with persistent depression
If you are a veteran, you know that what you carry cannot be reduced to a diagnosis. Difficult nights, constant vigilance, deep fatigue, difficulty being fully present — these are realities that many veterans know, and that conventional treatments don’t always fully resolve.
These difficulties can also be accompanied by other challenges, such as chronic pain or the consequences of a traumatic brain injury.
When previous treatments have provided only partial or insufficient relief, Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) may represent a non-invasive option worth exploring. At Neuroperforma, we offer a clinically supervised approach, without sedation, that can generally be integrated into daily routines.
What modern neuroscience reveals
Trauma-related depression is not a character weakness — it is a measurable change in brain function. Modern neuroscience has established that the regions responsible for emotional regulation can gradually lose their ability to function normally under the effects of prolonged stress and trauma. The result: a brain that struggles to regain its balance, even when the external situation improves.
Deep TMS acts directly on this mechanism by stimulating the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, one of the regions most consistently affected in major depression with comorbid anxiety.
A concentrated treatment, clinically validated
The SWIFT™ protocol is an accelerated form of Deep TMS using the BrainsWay H1 coil. FDA Cleared on September 16, 2025 (K251449) for the treatment of major depression, including the reduction of anxiety symptoms in patients with comorbid anxiety.
These results come from a controlled, multisite clinical trial. They do not guarantee your personal outcome, but they show what is possible for real patients, under real conditions.
Response rate at week 6
Remission rate at week 6
Median time to remission observed
Source: Hanlon CA et al. "Accelerated TMS with the H1-coil for depression: A multisite, randomized non-inferiority trial." Brain Stimulation, March 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2026.103050 — FDA-regulated multisite randomized trial, n = 104 (8 clinical sites). Results for participants who completed week 6 in the accelerated group (ACC-iTBS, n = 41).
Results may vary from person to person. Deep TMS is not effective for all patients. These data come from a controlled clinical trial on a selected population; individual results may differ significantly from these averages.
Impact on quality of life — same cohort
Source: Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Accelerated vs. Standard Deep TMS with the H1 coil for Major Depression. Brain Stimulation, March 2026. Individual results may vary.
How the treatment works
The SWIFT™ protocol uses iTBS (Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation), which mimics the brain’s natural oscillations. By repeatedly stimulating the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — a region consistently hypoactive in depression — the treatment gradually helps the brain restore its natural ability to regulate itself. It is a form of targeted brain rehabilitation, not a chemical suppression of emotions.
The active phase takes place over 6 half-days (5 sessions of less than 10 minutes per day, separated by at least 50 minutes), followed by a 4-week continuation phase with one visit per week. No functional MRI required. The treatment requires neither sedation nor recovery time.
Access to care should not be an obstacle
Neuroperforma works closely with Medavie Blue Cross for eligible veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP.
* Eligible veterans with a K number and a condition recognized by Veterans Affairs Canada may benefit from coverage through Medavie Blue Cross, subject to prior authorization.
Medavie Blue Cross Partnership
Neuroperforma works closely with Medavie Blue Cross to simplify the authorization process.
Personalized evaluation process
Each veteran meets with our specialized medical team. If the SWIFT™ protocol is indicated, we handle the entire special authorization request.
Treatment timeline
Once authorization is received, treatment begins promptly. Direct billing to Medavie Blue Cross — no upfront costs for covered veterans.
Dedicated support
Personalized follow-up from evaluation to end of treatment, including a post-protocol follow-up call and coordination with the referring physician.
Benefits for Canadian Armed Forces veterans
Coverage is conditional on individual eligibility, a valid K number, and recognition of the condition by VAC. Neuroperforma does not guarantee coverage approval. Fees may apply for uncovered services. Our team assists you in verifying your eligibility from the first consultation.
Who can benefit from the SWIFT™ protocol?
The medical team performs a systematic verification during the initial evaluation.
Typically eligible candidates
Absolute contraindications
Verification is performed by the physician during the evaluation. This list does not replace individual medical advice.
The pathway — simple and rigorous
Initial evaluation
Medical evaluation with the psychiatrist — diagnostic confirmation, prescription and treatment planning
Medical evaluation
Diagnostic confirmation with the psychiatrist — prescription and protocol.
6 half-days SWIFT™
Accelerated treatment over 2 weeks — 5 sessions of < 10 min per day, separated by at least 50 min
Continuation phase
4 weeks with one weekly visit — follow-up and check-in call included
The psychiatric evaluation is billed at $550. Veterans covered by Medavie Blue Cross may be reimbursed in full or in part depending on their individual coverage. Eligibility is determined during the medical evaluation — a positive evaluation does not constitute a guarantee of results.
Are you supporting a veteran?
It can be difficult to know which options to explore when previous treatments haven’t provided sufficient improvement. Our team can help you better understand the process, the general evaluation criteria and the possible next steps.
The goal is to provide a clear, respectful and professional point of support, both for the person concerned and their loved ones. This content is provided for informational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice.
For professionals in the veteran ecosystem
This section is intended for psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, case managers, counselors and organizations supporting veterans.
Direct psychiatric supervision
Each protocol is prescribed and monitored by a certified psychiatrist. BrainsWay-trained and certified technologists. No patient begins without a thorough medical evaluation.
Health Canada Approved · FDA Cleared device
Only the BrainsWay H1 system with the SWIFT™ protocol is used — FDA Cleared K251449 (September 2025) and approved by Health Canada. Compliant with current BrainsWay IFU.
Rigorous evaluation process
Medical evaluation with the psychiatrist (60 min). Systematic verification of contraindications. Complete clinical documentation.
Structured follow-up and feedback loop
Validated questionnaires at each stage. Post-protocol follow-up calls at week 1 and week 4. The psychiatrist can contact the referring physician to ensure continuity of care.
Full regulatory compliance — Clinical documentation compliant with the requirements of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), BrainsWay IFU, provisions of Bill 25 on the protection of personal information, and applicable RAMQ billing rules.
Contact us
Your questions, our answers
Eligible veterans with a K number and a condition recognized by Veterans Affairs Canada may benefit from coverage through Medavie Blue Cross, subject to prior authorization. No upfront costs are generally required for covered veterans — direct billing to the insurer. Our team assists you in verifying your individual eligibility and with all administrative steps.
Many veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury may be eligible for Deep TMS, depending on the characteristics of the injury and the current clinical picture. During the evaluation, we carefully analyze the trauma history, available imaging exams and present symptoms to determine whether this treatment is indicated and safe for your specific situation.
While TMS is not a direct treatment for physical injuries, some patients experience improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorders or pain, when these are closely linked to a depressive or anxiety disorder being treated. Results vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed.
TMS may be suitable for certain veterans with concurrent substance use issues, when this use is closely associated with major depression or comorbid anxiety. Eligibility is assessed during the medical consultation. TMS is not a treatment for addiction, but it can be integrated into a broader recovery process.
The BrainsWay SWIFT™ protocol received FDA Cleared authorization on September 16, 2025 (file K251449) for the treatment of major depression, including the reduction of anxiety symptoms in patients with comorbid anxiety. The BrainsWay H1 device is also approved by Health Canada for the treatment of major depression.
Yes. Deep TMS can generally be administered alongside existing medication. It is important not to modify or add medication in the month before treatment begins or during the protocol, without notifying the medical team.
Fees vary depending on the protocol and each patient’s clinical situation. For eligible Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans, Medavie Blue Cross coverage may eliminate all upfront costs — direct billing to the insurer, subject to prior authorization. For RAMQ-covered patients, the initial psychiatric evaluation is free. Our team reviews your eligibility during the free 30-minute phone consultation — no commitment, no prior referral needed.
Neurofeedback is a progressive training where the patient learns to modify their own brain waves through real-time EEG feedback — suited for attention disorders and mild to moderate anxiety. Deep TMS (SWIFT™ protocol) is a direct, targeted stimulation of brain regions involved in depression, indicated for moderate to severe depressions, including when antidepressants have provided insufficient relief. Both approaches can be complementary depending on the clinical picture.
That’s a legitimate question, and many of our patients come from remote areas. The active phase of the SWIFT™ protocol takes place over only 2 consecutive weeks (6 half-days), allowing you to plan a block of travel rather than weekly visits over several months. The continuation phase (4 weeks) then requires one visit per week. To assess whether travel is relevant in your situation, we first invite you to a free 30-minute phone consultation with a specialist — no commitment, no prior referral needed.
Ready to take the next step?
Your first consultation is free and without obligation.
Scientific and regulatory references
- Hanlon CA, Roth Y, Tendler A et al. "Accelerated TMS with the H1-coil for depression: A multisite, randomized non-inferiority trial." Brain Stimulation, March 4, 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2026.103050
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Accelerated vs. Standard Deep TMS with the H1 coil for Major Depression. Brain Stimulation, March 2026.
- BrainsWay Ltd. FDA Clearance K251449 — Accelerated SWIFT™ protocol for major depression with comorbid anxiety. September 16, 2025.
- Health Canada — Approval of the BrainsWay H1 device for the treatment of treatment-resistant major depression.
Important notice
The content of this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Deep TMS and the SWIFT™ protocol are therapeutic options whose indication must be determined by a physician during an individual clinical evaluation. The clinical results presented are from controlled clinical trials; individual results may vary significantly. Deep TMS is not effective for all patients. Coverage by VAC and Medavie Blue Cross is conditional on individual eligibility and prior approval; Neuroperforma does not guarantee this coverage.