Right prefrontal slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in schizophrenia: a double-blind sham-controlled pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to extend our previous work on the therapeutic efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depression to patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS:

Thirty-five inpatients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either right prefrontal rTMS or sham treatment and were rated before and after treatment for positive, negative, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS:

Thirty-one subjects (rTMS = 16, sham = 15) completed a 2-week treatment protocol. No serious adverse effects were reported; however, rTMS was not superior to sham treatment on any of the clinical ratings.

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to our previous positive findings in major depression, right prefrontal slow rTMS does not appear to have a beneficial effect for actively psychotic patients with schizophrenia.

• Authors: E Klein, Y Kolsky, M Puyerovsky, D Koren, A Chistyakov, M Feinsod
• Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 46 Issue 10 Pg. 1451-4 (Nov 15 1999) ISSN: 0006-3223 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10578460 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Depressive Disorder, Major (diagnosis)
• Double-Blind Method
• Electromagnetic Phenomena (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Periodicity
• Pilot Projects
• Prefrontal Cortex (physiology)
• Schizophrenia (therapy)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Skull
• Treatment Outcome