TITLE:
Treatment of refractory auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia by rTMS: Positive impact of negative double blind controlled study
AUTHORS:
Noomane Bouaziz, Djedia Sidhoumi, Sonia Braha, Ghada Kallel, Palmyre Schenin-King Andrianisaina, Virginie Moulier, René Benadhira, Dominique Januel
KEYWORDS:
Schizophrenia; rTMS; Auditory Hallucinations; Temporo-Parietal Cortex
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
10,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Several studies reported on the effectiveness
of 1 Hz repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the
temporoparietal cortex (TPC) on refractory auditory hallucinations (AH) in
schizophrenia but little is known about the long-term therapeutic effect of
this tool. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate rTMS’ impact on auditory
hallucinations (AH) and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia with
a three-month follow-up. Methods: In a randomized double blind sham controlled
study, 26 patients with refractory schizophrenia received 1 Hz rTMS applied on
TPC for four weeks. rTMS was given to patients over one month with five rTMS
sessions each week. Patients were evaluated via AHRS (Auditory Hallucination Rating
Scale, Hoffman et al.), PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome
Scale, Kay et al. 1988), and CGI
(Clinical Global Impression) before treatment by rTMS every week during the
first month, and every month until the third month. Results: Neither clinical
nor cognitive differences were found between rTMS and placebo. Conclusion: 1 Hz
rTMS using parameters mentioned above has no statistically significant effect
on AH; although evidences about the potential benefit of rTMS in the treatment
of AH negative results suggest the need for further studies in this area.