Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Treating Persistent Negative Symptoms in Adults with Schizophrenia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the use of accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation iTBS as a new treatment approach for schizophrenia patients who continue to experience persistent negative symptoms, which are a major cause of ongoing difficulties even after recovery from acute psychotic episodes. This trial focuses on patients who have stable psychotic symptoms but dominant negative symptoms, aiming to assess if iTBS can improve these challenging symptoms where current treatments have limited effectiveness. Participants will receive an accelerated iTBS treatment targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This involves five daily sessions over five consecutive weekdays, totaling 25 sessions, with each session lasting about 10 minutes. The treatment uses specific stimulation parameters and is delivered by trained professionals following established guidelines. This open-label, single-arm study does not include a comparison group and follows patients immediately after treatment, as well as at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment. During the study, participants will undergo various clinical assessments including scales measuring negative symptoms, positive symptoms, cognitive function, depression, disability, and quality of life. The main outcome measured is the change in negative symptoms immediately after the treatment, with additional follow-ups to track symptom trends. The study aims to determine if this accelerated iTBS protocol can be effectively integrated into rehabilitation care for those with persistent negative symptoms in schizophrenia, with the potential for direct clinical application.

An Open-Label, Single Arm Study of the Efficacy of Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation in Schizophrenia Patients With Persistent Negative Symptoms