Studies using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for refractory auditory hallucinations (AH) in schizophrenia have shown promise. The majority of studies have examined the effect of low frequency left-sided stimulation (LFL) (i.e., 1 Hz) to the temporal parietal cortex (TPC). Priming stimulation (6 Hz) prior to LFL stimulation (hereby simply referred to as priming) has been shown to enhance the neurophysiological effects of LFL rTMS alone and, as such, may lead to greater attenuation of AH. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of priming rTMS and LFL rTMS, compared to sham, applied to the TPC in patients with schizophrenia experiencing refractory auditory hallucinations (AH).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
144
The treatment involves the administration of a magnetic field applied to a specific area of the brain.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS)
The primary outcome for this study was response (dichotomous outcome), defined as a 30 percent reduction in the composite score derived from the frequency, duration, loudness and content items of the hallucinations subscale of the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Positive and Negative Symptom Scale - Global
response on the global PANSS (30% reduction), PANSS global scale change
Time frame: 4 weeks
Positive and Negative Symptom Scale - Positive subscale
response on the positive scale of the PANSS (30% reduction), PANSS positive scale change
Time frame: 4 weeks
Hallucination Change Scale
response on the HCS (score \< 5)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS)
response on the AHRS and change over time in the AHRS.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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