Effects of High-Frequency rTMS on Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.736094
• Publication Date: 2021-09-04T07:57:31Z
• Authors: Na Wen; Lei Chen; Xuemeng Miao; Min Zhang; Yaoyao Zhang; Jie Liu; Yao Xu; Siyu Tong; Wei Tang; Mengpu Wang; Jiahong Liu; Siyao Zhou; Xinyu Fang; Ke Zhao
• Keywords: schizophrenia; Psychiatry; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; treatment; RC435-571; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; negative symptoms (schizophrenia); cognitive impairment; 3. Good health

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over left dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) in ameliorating negative symptoms and cognitive impairments patients with chronic schizophrenia. Fifty-two schizophrenia were randomly assigned two groups: active rTMS group sham group, existing antipsychotic drugs combined 20 sessions 10 Hz active/sham DLPFC (20 min/session, 5 times/week). The PANSS, RBANS, SCWT used clinical functions patients. Our results indicated significant improvements (PANSS total subscale scores) (RBANS scores, card 1 3 test) (All p <0.05) after 4-week intervention both group. Moreover, showed more effective on ( = 0.002), immediate memory 0.016) delayed 0.047) compared Interestingly, PANSS symptom scores was negatively correlated RBANS language real 0.046). found that high frequency as a supplement antipsychotics may have potential benefits improving