BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the temporoparietal cortex may have therapeutic benefits for patients with schizophrenia and treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations. We aimed to test this hypothesis in a randomized double-blind trial. METHODS:Thirty-three patients with treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations entered a randomized sham-controlled, double-blind trial. rTMS was applied for 10 consecutive weekdays, for 15 minutes at 1 Hz and 90% of the resting motor threshold. We assessed clinical symptoms and cognitive function. RESULTS:rTMS was safe with no adverse effects on memory and cognitive parameters assessed. Active treatment did not result in a greater therapeutic effect than sham on any measure except for the loudness of hallucinations where there was a significant reduction in the active versus the sham group over time. CONCLUSIONS: The study does not support the effectiveness of rTMS using the stimulation parameters provided. However, it does suggest that rTMS methods may have a therapeutic role and indicates the need for further exploration of alternative and more effective stimulation methods.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the temporoparietal cortex may have therapeutic benefits for patients with schizophrenia and treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations. We aimed to test this hypothesis in a randomized double-blind trial. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations entered a randomized sham-controlled, double-blind trial. rTMS was applied for 10 consecutive weekdays, for 15 minutes at 1 Hz and 90% of the resting motor threshold. We assessed clinical symptoms and cognitive function. RESULTS: rTMS was safe with no adverse effects on memory and cognitive parameters assessed. Active treatment did not result in a greater therapeutic effect than sham on any measure except for the loudness of hallucinations where there was a significant reduction in the active versus the sham group over time. CONCLUSIONS: The study does not support the effectiveness of rTMS using the stimulation parameters provided. However, it does suggest that rTMS methods may have a therapeutic role and indicates the need for further exploration of alternative and more effective stimulation methods.
Authors: Ralph E Hoffman; Kun Wu; Brian Pittman; John D Cahill; Keith A Hawkins; Thomas Fernandez; Jonas Hannestad Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2013-02-26 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Sanne Koops; Edwin van Dellen; Maya J L Schutte; Wendy Nieuwdorp; Sebastiaan F W Neggers; Iris E C Sommer Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2015-07-28 Impact factor: 9.306