Journal of International Psychiatry

Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of θ short array rapid pulse stimulation (TBS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of schizophrenia and its effect on cognitive function and social function. Methods 120 patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into rTMS group and control group, 60 cases in each group. The rTMS group was treated with TBS rTMS, and the control group was given sham stimulation for 4 weeks. The two groups continued to use the original antipsychotic drugs during the intervention. Before treatment and at the end of 4 weeks of treatment, the overall mental symptoms [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)], negative symptoms [Negative Symptom Scale (SANS)], cognitive function [Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)] and social function [Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP)] were evaluated. Results After 4 weeks of treatment, the PANSS negative factor and SANS score in the rTMS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in PANSS scale positive factor and general psychopathological score between the two groups (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the RBANS score and PSP score of the rTMS group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The adverse reactions of the two groups were headache and dizziness, which were transient. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion TBS mode rTMS can significantly improve the negative symptoms, cognitive function and social function of patients with schizophrenia, with good safety.

Keywords schizophrenia; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; θ short array rapid pulse stimulation; cognitive function; negative symptoms