Electroencephalographic connectivity predicts clinical response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with insomnia disorder

BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which generally decreases cortical excitability and remodels plastic connectivity, improves sleep quality in patients with insomnia disorder. However, the effects of rTMS vary substantially across individuals and treatment is sometimes unsatisfactory, calling for biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether functional connectivity of the target network in electroencephalography is associated with the clinical response to low frequency rTMS in patients with insomnia disorder.MethodsTwenty-five patients with insomnia disorder were subjected to 10 sessions of treatment with 1 Hz rTMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Resting-state electroencephalography was collected before rTMS. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Mini-Mental State Exam were performed before and after rTMS treatment, with a follow-up after one month. Electroencephalographic connectivity was measured by the power envelope connectivity at the source level. Partial least squares regression identified models of connectivity that maximally accounted for the rTMS response.ResultsScores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were decreased after rTMS and one-month later. Baseline weaker connectivity of a network in the beta and alpha bands between a brain region approximating the stimulated right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and areas located in the frontal, insular, and limbic cortices was associated with a greater change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale following rTMS.ConclusionsLow frequency rTMS could improve sleep quality and depressive moods in patients with insomnia disorder. Moreover, electroencephalographic functional connectivity would potentially be a robust biomarker for predicting the therapeutic effects.     

Pilot study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

ObjectiveChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the intractable long-term side effects of anticancer medications and results in pain and dysesthesia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the primary motor cortex has been demonstrated to provide effective relief for intractable neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rTMS treatment on CIPN in cancer patients.Materials and methodsEleven female patients with breast cancer or gynecologic cancer (mean age 64.8 [standard deviation 7.8]) who had neuropathic pain and/or peripheral sensory neuropathy, with a minimum two grade severity based on the scale of the National Cancer Institutes’ Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0) were enrolled. Patients received rTMS (5-Hz; 500 pulses/session; figure-8 coil) on their primary motor cortex corresponding to the target extremity. The intensity of pain and dysesthesia for all extremities was evaluated using a visual analog scale for pain, dysesthesia, and the Japanese version of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SFMPQ2).ResultsrTMS for target extremity significantly decreased the visual analog scale of pain and dysesthesia. The intensity of pain measured by the SFMPQ2 was also decreased in the target extremity. Regarding non-target extremities, only dysesthesia significantly decreased as a result of rTMS. No adverse events were observed.ConclusionThis is an initial report demonstrating the potential of rTMS for the treatment of CIPN. We suggest rTMS could be potentially beneficial and effective as a treatment for pain and dysesthesia in patients with CIPN.     

Modulation of visual evoked potentials by high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in migraineurs

Objective

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates cortical excitability. We investigated its effect on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in migraine.

Methods

Thirty-two headache-free controls (CO), 25 interictal (MINT) and 7 preictal migraineurs (MPRE) remained after exclusions. VEPs to 8′ and 65′ checks were averaged in six blocks of 100 single responses. VEPs were recorded before, directly after and 25 min after 10 Hz rTMS. The study was blinded for diagnosis during recording and for diagnosis and block number during analysis. First block amplitudes and habituation (linear amplitude change over blocks) were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

With 65′ checks, N70-P100 habituation was reduced in MINT compared to CO after rTMS (p = 0.013). With 8′ checks, habituation was reduced in MPRE compared to MINT and CO after rTMS (p < 0.016). No effects of rTMS on first block amplitudes were found.

Conclusion

RTMS reduced habituation only in migraineurs, indicating increased responsivity to rTMS. The magnocellular visual subsystem may be affected interictally, while the parvocellular system may only be affected preictally.

Significance

Migraineurs may have increased responsiveness to rTMS because of a cortical dysfunction that changes before a migraine attack.     

劳拉西泮联合低频重复经颅磁刺激对慢性失眠障碍的效果

目的探讨劳拉西泮联合低频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对慢性失眠障碍的临床疗效,为慢性失眠障碍的治疗提供参考。方法纳入符合《中国失眠障碍诊断和治疗指南》慢性失眠障碍诊断标准的患者120例,按照随机数字表法分为劳拉西泮联合低频rTMS治疗组(研究组)与劳拉西泮联合伪低频rTMS治疗组(对照组)各60例。于治疗前和治疗第4周末进行多导睡眠监测(PSG),于治疗前和治疗第1、2、4周末进行匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表17项版(HAMD-17)和汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评定。结果①治疗第4周末,研究组PSQI评分低于对照组(t=-3. 506,P=0. 001),研究组睡眠质量疗效的显效率和有效率均高于对照组(χ~2=4. 658、5. 926,P均0. 05);研究组实际睡眠总时间、睡眠效率均高于对照组(t=2. 333～3. 784,P均0. 05),睡眠潜伏期、觉醒时间、觉醒次数、快速眼球运动睡眠潜伏期均低于对照组(t=-2. 903～-2. 214,P均0. 05)。②治疗第4周末,研究组HAMA评分低于对照组(t=-2. 072,P0. 05);治疗第1、2、4周末,研究组HAMD-17评分均低于对照组(t=-2. 190～-1. 701,P均0. 05)。结论劳拉西泮联合低频rTMS可能有助于改善慢性失眠障碍患者的睡眠质量,并缓解其抑郁、焦虑等负性情绪。     

重复经颅磁刺激对产后抑郁症患者的疗效

目的观察重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）对产后抑郁（PPD）患者的疗效。方法将49例PPD患者随机分为假刺激组25例和治疗组24例。两组患者均给予常规心理和抗抑郁药物治疗,治疗组在此基础上加用rTMS治疗,假刺激组采用同样刺激参数的假刺激线圈给予的rTMS治疗。于治疗前、治疗2,4周末采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表24项版（HAMD-24）评估患者抑郁程度。结果与治疗前比较,假刺激组患者治疗2周后HAMD评分有下降趋势,但差异无统计意义（P〉0．05）;治疗4周后HAMD评分明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。与治疗前比较,治疗组患者治疗2,4周后HAMD评分均明显下降,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;与假刺激组比较,治疗组患者治疗2周及4周后HAMD评分降低更为显著,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论在常规心理和抗抑郁药物治疗基础上加用rTMS可更迅速、有效地缓解PPD患者症状。     

不同频率重复经颅磁刺激对脑梗死患者运动功能影响的研究

目的 比较高频、低频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)在脑梗死患者运动功能康复中的作用. 方法 选取自2010年10月至2011年6月在珠江医院康复医学科治疗的60例脑梗死患者,按随机数字表法分成高频rTMS组(20例)、低频rTMS组(20例)和假刺激组(20例).在常规药物治疗及功能训练治疗相同的情况下,高频rTMS组、低频rTMS组给予每天1次、每次10 min的高频(3 Hz)或低频(1 Hz)rTMS治疗,连续14d;假刺激组给予假刺激.比较3组患者治疗前后的简易Fugl-Meyer(FMA)运动功能评分、Barthel指数、运动诱发电位(MEP)潜伏期及中枢运动传导时间(CMCT). 结果 治疗前,3组患者间FMA评分、Barthel指数、MEP潜伏期及CMCT比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).治疗后,3组患者FMA评分、Barthel指数、MEP潜伏期及CMCT均较治疗前差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);高频rTMS组、低频rTMS组的运动功能恢复明显优于假刺激组,FMA评分、Barthel指数、MEP潜伏期及CMCT与假刺激组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),高频rTMS组与低频rTMS组间FMA评分、Barthel指数、MEP潜伏期及CMCT比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05). 结论 高频及低频rTMS均有利于脑梗死患者运动功能的康复,且两者间疗效无明显差异.     

不同频率重复经颅磁刺激治疗脑卒中后抑郁障碍的疗效观察

目的：探讨低频及高频重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）对脑卒中后抑郁（PSD）的治疗作用。方法将111例PSD患者随机分为低频组37例（接受1 Hz低频rTMS治疗）、高频组37例（接受10 Hz高频rTMS治疗）和对照组37例（接受假刺激治疗）,每周5次,共治疗4周。于治疗前、治疗第2周末及治疗第4周末分别采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）对3组患者评分。结果 rTMS治疗前,3组HAMD评分差异无统计学意义;治疗后第2、4周末,低频组、高频组 HAMD评分明显低于对照组,特别是高频组;治疗后第2周末,高频组HAMD评分下降幅度较低频组明显。结论低频与高频rTMS治疗PSD安全有效,高频rTMS治疗起效更快。     

Positive predictors for antidepressive response to prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a brain stimulation technique which had recently been investigated as a putative antidepressant intervention. However, there is little agreement about clinically useful predictors of rTMS outcome. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine whether specific biographical, clinical, and psychopathological parameters are associated with the antidepressant response to rTMS in a large sample of 70 depressive patients. We performed a logistic regression analysis in 70 patients with major depressive disorder treated with rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex testing the predictive value of various domains of the depression syndrome as well as the variables episode duration, degree of treatment resistance, and CORE criteria. Response was defined as a 50% reduction of the initial Hamilton score (HAMD). After two weeks of treatment, 21% of the patients showed a response to rTMS. The binary logistic regression model correctly assigned 86.7% of the responders and 96.4% of the non-responders to their final response group. In the model, a high level of sleep disturbances was a significant predictor for treatment response to rTMS. Also, a low score of treatment resistance and a short duration of episode were positive predictors. These findings provide new evidence that especially pronounced sleep disturbances may be a significant clinical predictor of a response to rTMS. Prospective rTMS studies are necessary to validate the predictive value of the derived model.     

The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) might be a promising technique in treating insomnia. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the available literature is conducted to offer evidence.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of rTMS for insomnia, either as monotherapy or as a complementary strategy.MethodsCENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PEDro, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP were searched from earliest record to August 2019. Randomized control trials (RCTs) published in English and Chinese examining effects of rTMS on patients with insomnia were included. Two authors independently completed the article selection, data extraction and rating. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The RevMan software was used for meta-analysis. The quality of the evidence was assessed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsA total of 36 trials from 28 eligible studies were included, involving a total of 2357 adult participants (mean age, 48.80 years; 45.33% males). Compared with sham rTMS, rTMS was associated with improved PSQI total score (SMD −2.31, 95% CI −2.95 to −1.66; Z = 7.01, P < 0.00001) and scores of seven subscales. Compared to other treatment, rTMS as an adjunct to other treatment was associated with improved PSQI total score (SMD −1.44, 95% CI −2.00 to −0.88; Z = 5.01, P < 0.00001), and may have effects on scores of seven subscales. Compared with other treatment, rTMS was associated with improved Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) total score (SMD −0.63, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.04; Z = 2.08, P = 0.04), and may have a better score in sleep latency, sleep disturbance and hypnotic using of seven subscales. In the three pair of comparisons, the results for polysomnography (PSG) outcomes were varied. In general, rTMS may improve sleep quality through increasing slow wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The rTMS group was more prone to headache than the sham or blank control group (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.85; Z = 2.07, P = 0.04). No severe adverse events were reported. Reporting biases and low and very low grade of some evidences should be considered when interpreting the results of this meta-analysis.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that rTMS may be a safe and effective option for insomnia. Further international, multicenter, high-quality RCTs with more objective, quality of life related and follow-up assessments are needed.     

脑血管病患者经颅磁刺激运动诱发电位的研究

采用经颅磁刺激运动诱发电位（ＭＥＰ）对７２例脑血管病（ＣＶＤ）患者和５０例正常人进行检测。结果：ＣＶＤ患者瘫痪侧上肢磁刺激无反应或皮层潜伏期和中枢传导时间（ＣＭＣＴ）较正常对照组和健侧显著延长（Ｐ＜０．００１）；瘫痪侧下肢磁刺激无反应或ＣＭＣＴ较正常对照组和健侧显著延长（Ｐ＜０．０５）。脑出血与脑梗塞患者ＭＥＰ异常率无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５），而与临床病情轻重和病变部位密切相关。提示ＭＥＰ能客观反映ＣＶＤ患者中枢运动传导通路功能受损的情况。     

In-session seizures during low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with epilepsy

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is emerging as a therapeutic tool for patients with intractable epilepsy. Although seizures during treatment have been reported as adverse events in some patients, the nature and severity of seizures that may be provoked by low-frequency rTMS in patients with epilepsy have not been extensively studied. Accordingly, this article documents seizures in patients (n = 5) with intractable epilepsy and average seizure frequency greater than one per day who underwent 1-Hz rTMS for seizure suppression. We report three observations in the present case series: (1) in each instance the in-session seizure was typical in semiology to the patient’s habitual seizures, (2) the duration of each documented seizure was either the same as or shorter than the patients’ baseline seizures, and (3) the overall neurological outcome on follow-up was not affected by the in-session seizures. More data will be required for valid conclusions with respect to safety and tolerability of low-frequency rTMS in patients with epilepsy, but it is noteworthy from our perspective that seizures during rTMS in this series were similar to the patients’ habitual seizures, occurred in patients with epilepsy with baseline seizure frequency exceeding one per day, and did not correlate with a poor neurological outcome or with absence of clinical response to rTMS.     

重复经颅磁刺激治疗偏头痛患者的临床研究

目的观察重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)治疗偏头痛的疗效和安全性。方法入选的96例偏头痛患者分为rTMS组和假刺激组,每组48例,并记录患者一般资料。rTMS组患者接受经颅磁刺激治疗,隔日1次,15次为一疗程,并进行随访。假刺激组使用伪线圈,不产生治疗效应。记录头痛频率改善、视觉模拟评分量表(VAS)评分改善情况、临床疗效和不良反应等。结果与假刺激组相比,rTMS组患者在头痛发作频率和VAS改善以及临床疗效上均有所好转,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。随访过程中rTMS组3例患者出现头晕乏力,但均未发生严重不良反应。结论 tTMS治疗偏头痛是有效且相对安全的方法。     

Durability of antidepressant response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The therapeutic options for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) encompass a range of neuromodulatory techniques, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). While rTMS is safe and has documented short-term efficacy, durability of antidepressant effects is poorly established.

Neurophysiological effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treatment resistant depression

ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective for treatment resistant depression (TRD), but little is known about rTMS’ effects on neurophysiological markers. We previously identified neurophysiological markers in depression (N45 and N100) of GABA receptor mediated inhibition. Here, we indexed TMS-electroencephalographic (TMS-EEG) effects of rTMS.MethodsTMS-EEG data was analyzed from a double blind 2:1 randomized active (10 Hz left/bilateral):sham rTMS TRD trial. Participants underwent TMS-EEG over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) before and after 6 weeks of rTMS. 30 had useable datasets. TMS-evoked potentials (TEP) and components (N45, N100, P60) were examined with global mean field analysis (GMFA) and locally in DLPFC regions of interest.ResultsThe N45 amplitude differed between active and sham groups over time, N100 amplitude did not. N45 (t = 2.975, p = 0.007) and N100 amplitudes (t = 2.177, p = 0.042) decreased after active rTMS, demonstrating alterations in cortical inhibition. TEP amplitudes decreased after active rTMS in left (t = 4.887, p < 0.001) and right DLPFC (t = 4.403, p < 0.001) not sham rTMS, demonstrating alterations in cortical excitability.ConclusionsOur results provide important new knowledge regarding rTMS effects on TMS-EEG measures in TRD, suggesting rTMS reduces neurophysiological markers of inhibition and excitability.SignificanceThese findings uncover potentially important neurophysiological mechanisms of rTMS action.     

重复经颅磁刺激联合认知训练治疗血管性认知障碍临床研究

目的观察重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)联合认知功能训练治疗血管性认知障碍(VCI)的临床疗效。方法选择65例VCI患者,分为对照组33例和治疗组32例,对照组采用认知功能训练,治疗组采用rTMS联合认知训练。于治疗前、第1疗程后及第2疗程后,采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)及洛文斯顿认知评价箱(LOTCA)评估,进行对比统计分析。结果第1疗程及第2疗程结束后,2组LOTCA及MoCA评分均有提高(P0.05);治疗组LOTCA及MoCA评分均高于对照组(P0.05)。结论 rTMS联合认知训练能改善VCI患者的认知功能,具有良好的临床效果。     

Abnormal responses to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in multiple system atrophy.

We studied the response of the motor cortex to brief trains of suprathreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulations (rTMS) in patients with the Parkinson-variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and compared it to patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls. Eight subjects were studied in each group, and patients were matched for disease severity as assessed by Hoehn & Yahr stages. rTMS was delivered at rest and during low-level contractions in trains of 10 stimulations at 5 Hz, and stimulation intensity was set to result in an motor evoked potential (MEP) in the first dorsal interosseus muscle of 0.5 to 1.0 mV. In MSA-P, MEP amplitude at rest was already reduced after the second stimulus and remained so, while it did not change in PD and controls. During contraction, MEP size did not change during the train in any group. The silent period that followed the last stimulus was of similar duration as the first stimulus in MSA-P, but was increased in PD and controls. These findings indicate that abnormal inhibition occurs within the motor cortex in MSA-P, despite dopaminergic treatment and indicate differences in cortical dysfunction between MSA-P and PD. We suggest that these abnormalities reflect the motor cortex pathology found in MSA-P.     

The influence of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on endogenous estrogen in patients with disorders of consciousness

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic intervention for neurological disorders. However, the precise mechanisms of rTMS in neural excitability remains poorly understood. Estradiol is known to have strong influence on cortical excitability. This study aimed to determine whether high-frequency (HF) rTMS influences endogenous estradiol in male patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC).MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with a total of 57 male patients with DOC. Eventually, 50 patients completed the study. Twenty-five patients underwent real rTMS, and 25 patients underwent sham rTMS, which were delivered over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The primary outcome measure was the change in serum estradiol from baseline to after 10 sessions of HF-rTMS. The improvement in the total score of the JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) was also assessed.ResultsChanges in estradiol levels and CRS-R scores from pre-to post-treatment were significantly different between the active rTMS and sham stimulation conditions. A significant enhancement of CRS-R scores in the patients receiving rTMS stimulation was observed compared to the sham group. Serum estradiol levels in patients following HF-rTMS were significantly higher than their baseline levels, whereas no significant changes were found in the sham group from pre-to post-stimulation. The rise in estradiol levels was greater in responders than in non-responders. The changes in estradiol levels were significantly positively correlated with the improvement in CRS-R scores.ConclusionThese preliminary findings indicate that serum estradiol levels are affected by HF-rTMS and positively related to clinical responses in male patients with DOC. The elevation of estradiol levels may lay a physiological foundation for successful rTMS treatment for DOC patients by increasing cortical excitability.     

Therapeutic applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in movement disorders: A review

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is emerging as a valuable adjunctive therapeutic modality in movement disorders. It is a non-invasive technique of repeated stimulation of the cerebral cortex by a train of magnetic pulses. The therapeutic effect of rTMS was first noted in depression. Later several researchers have investigated the role of rTMS in various movement disorders, notably Parkinson's disease, dystonia, Tourette's syndrome etc. The rTMS protocols used in these studies vary widely, lacks uniformity and often the results are not consistent. The optimal rTMS parameters for each disorder are yet to be established. This review discusses the current knowledge on the therapeutic applications of rTMS in various movement disorders.     

重复经颅磁刺激对精神障碍患者听力功能的影响

目的 评价重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）治疗精神分裂症幻听及双相情感障碍抑郁发作时对患者听力功能的影响.方法 30例精神分裂症和30例双相情感障碍抑郁发作（以下简称双相抑郁）患者均给予rTMS治疗,精神分裂症幻听组的刺激选择部位为左侧颞顶叶皮质（1 Hz,80％MT）,双相抑郁发作患者选择左侧前额叶背外侧皮质（10 Hz,80％ MT）;在治疗前和治疗后均采用纯音听力测试分别测试患者左右耳气导听力,纯音频率在125～8 000 Hz之间选择8个点进行测试,强度＜30dB视为正常.结果 60例患者治疗后听力阈值强度下降,与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义[（18.22±12.24）比（16.41±12.25）,t=2.71,P＜0.01],表明rTMS对听力有一定的改善作用;在60例患者中有听力功能障碍者23例,其中精神分裂症患者13例,双相抑郁患者10例;23例中在6 000 Hz,8 000 Hz两个频率段存在异常者13例,占听力异常总人数的56.5％;虽然刺激部位及治疗强度均不相同,但rTMS对精神分裂症患者及双相抑郁患者的听力功能均有改善作用,两组之间差异无统计学意义（t=0.3,P＞0.05）;rTMS治疗后精神分裂症患者幻听症状减轻或消失,双相抑郁发作者的情绪改善.结论 rTMS在改善精神障碍患者临床症状的同时对听力功能有一定改善作用.     

高频重复经颅磁刺激对慢性精神分裂症患者认知功能的影响

目的：探讨高频重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS ）对慢性精神分裂症患者认知功能的影响。方法本研究为随机假刺激对照双盲随访临床试验。47例以阴性症状为主的慢性精神分裂症患者按随机数字表分为研究组（n ＝25）和对照组（n ＝22）,分别给予每周5次持续4周的10 Hz 110％ M T 的rTMS 真刺激和假刺激治疗;在基线期、4周末、8周末用阴性症状量表（SANS）、图形识别记忆（PRM ）分别评定患者阴性症状与认知功能,采用治疗不良反应量表（TESS）评估不良反应。结果研究组经治疗后 SANS 总分及各因子分均较基线时下降,而对照组仅 SANS 总分、情感平淡因子分及注意障碍因子分较基线时下降,差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）;且第8周末研究组 SANS 总分及除情感平淡因子分以外的其他因子分较第4周末相比下降,差异均有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）。研究组在治疗8周末时正确题数明显提高,选择时间和间隔时间同时明显缩短,组间不同时间点比较差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.05）,而对照组各时间点比较差异均无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）。结论 rTMS 辅助治疗可以改善慢性精神分裂症患者的认知功能,且效应延迟出现。