Randomized comparative study of 1-Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) and sham-TMS for treatment-refractory auditory hallucinations (AH) in schizophrenia

Introduction Insufficient efficacy of conventional treatment of auditory hallucinations (AH) in schizophrenia supports rising interest to brain stimulation techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Left temporo-parietal cortex (TP3) is involved in emergence of AH, thus neuromodulation of this area might be reasonable. Objectives Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of 2 protocols of TMS (1 Hz and cTBS) over TP3 and sham-TMS for treatment resistant AH in schizophrenia. Methods 76 schizophrenia (ICD-10 - F20) patients with prominent AH (PANSS P3 ≥ 4, AHRS ≥ 15), who had failed to respond to previous antipsychotic treatment, were randomized into 3 groups: 1) 1 Hz TMS (30 patients); 2) cTBS (25 patients); 3) Sham-TMS (21 patients). Sessions were performed 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Antipsychotic medication was continued throughout the study. Patients were assessed weekly with PANSS, AHRS, CDSS, CGI-S by blinded raters. The criterion of efficacy was 30% AHRS score reduction after 3 weeks of treatment. Results The number of responders were 13 (43,3%) in 1 Hz TMS group, 14 (56%) – in cTBS group, 4 (19,1%) in sham-TMS group. There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between 1 Hz TMS and cTBS, but each of the active protocols was more effective than sham-TMS. Treatment was generally well tolerated in all groups, nobody was discontinued the study due to adverse events. Conclusions Both protocols of TMS (1 Hz and cTBS) over TP3 are safe and effective in the treatment of schizophrenic patients with pharmacotherapy resistant AH. Further studies are needed. Disclosure No significant relationships.