BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment for negative symptoms of @entity161 , reporting inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate whether 10  Hz stimulation of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during 3 weeks enhances treatment effects. METHOD: A multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed in 32 @entity1 with @entity161 or @entity1316 , and moderate to severe negative symptoms [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative subscale    15]. @entity1 were randomized to a 3-week course of active or sham rTMS. Primary outcome was severity of negative symptoms as measured with the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms ( @entity12269 ) and the PANSS negative symptom score. Secondary outcome measures included cognition, insight, quality of life and mood. Subjects were followed up at 4 weeks and at 3 months. For analysis of the data a mixed-effects linear model was used. RESULTS: A significant improvement of the @entity12269 in the active group compared with sham up to 3 months follow-up (p = 0.03) was found. The PANSS negative symptom scores did not show a significant change (p  =  0.19). Of the cognitive tests, only one showed a significant improvement after rTMS as compared with sham. Finally, a significant change of insight was found with better scores in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral 10  Hz prefrontal rTMS reduced negative symptoms, as measured with the @entity12269 . More studies are needed to investigate optimal parameters for rTMS, the cognitive effects and the neural basis.

Efficacy of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for negative symptoms of XXXX : results of a multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity1316 :: ('MESH:D019964', 'Disease') :: ['schizo-affective disorder'] @entity161 :: ('MESH:D012559', 'Disease') :: ['schizophrenia'] @entity12269 :: ('124590', 'Gene') :: ['SANS']
@entity161 :: (MESH:D012559,Disease) :: ['schizophrenia']
