This study is designed to determine whether neuronavigation-guided, personalized Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (iTBS) can produce clinically benefits for patients with schizophrenia when delivered in real-world treatment settings. By situating the intervention within real-world treatment settings-without imposing restrictions on concurrent pharmacotherapy-this trial seeks to generate evidence that is both scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant. The main questions it seeks to address are: Does the personalized iTBS target TMS protocol improve clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia within real-world treatment settings? What neural circuit changes, as assessed by functional MRI, occur following TMS treatment? Participants will: Undergo personalized,personalized iTBS target treatment daily for 2 weeks. Complete baseline and post-treatment assessments, including clinical symptom scales (PANSS, HAMA, HAMD) and neuropsychological tests (MoCA, DST, VFT, Stroop Test, and AVLT). Have structural and resting-state functional MRI scans before and after treatment. Be monitored for any treatment-related adverse events.
Effective intervention is critical for reducing relapse risk, improving long-term prognosis, and lowering healthcare costs for schizophrenia.The present study therefore aims to assess whether neuronavigation-guided, individualized Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (iTBS) can accelerate symptom improvement in schizophrenia when delivered in real-world clinical settings. By situating the intervention within real-world treatment settings-without imposing restrictions on concurrent pharmacotherapy-this trial seeks to generate evidence that is both scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant. Patients with schizophrenia will be prospectively recruited and received 2 weeks of iTBS treatment. Before treatment, structural and resting-state functional MRI data wil be collected from each patient. Clinical symptom severity will be assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). For patients experiencing auditory verbal hallucinations, the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) will be also administered. Additionally, a battery of neuropsychological tests will be conducted, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Span Test (DST), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Stroop Test, and Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). After completing the 2-week iTBS treatment, clinical symptom severity, treatment-related adverse events wil be reassessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
Participants will receive individualized iTBS for 14 consecutive days in addition to their usual medication regimen. iTBS parameters: 50 Hz bursts every 200 ms (5 Hz), 2s on/8s off, total 600 pulses per session;6 sessions/day (3 in morning, 3 in afternoon, 3600 pulses/day); 100% RMT intensity; Neuronavigation: Brainsight system (Rogue Research, Canada)
Anhui Medical University
Hefei, Anhui, China
RECRUITINGAnhui Medical University
Hefei, Anhui, China
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGThe Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
The primary outcome was the changes in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores from baseline to week 2. PANSS total score range 30 to 210, the higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: baseline and week 2 (post-treatment)
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) subscales
Secondary outcomes included changes in the PANSS subscales score. PANSS positive score and negative score range 7 to 49, the higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. PANSS general score range 16 to 112, the higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: baseline and week 2 (post-treatment)
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)
Secondary outcomes included changes in the HAMA score. HAMA scale scores range from 0 to 56 points, the higher the score indicates the more serious anxiety
Time frame: baseline and week 2 (post-treatment)
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)
Secondary outcomes included changes in the HAMD score. HAMA scale scores range from 0 to 50 points, the higher the score indicates the more serious depression.
Time frame: baseline and week 2 (post-treatment)
Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS)
The changes in the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) score were also included as a secondary outcome. AHRS range 0 to 41, the higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: baseline and week 2 (post-treatment)
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