Cited by 137Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesSchizophrenia research and treatmentHallucinations in medical conditions

Can low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation really relieve medication-resistant auditory verbal hallucinations? Negative results from a large randomized controlled trial

Slotema, Christina W., Blom, Jan Dirk, de Weijer, Antoin D., Diederen, Kelly M., Goekoop, Rutger, Looijestijn, Jasper, Daalman, Kirstin, Rijkaart, Anne-Marije +3 more·2011·Biological Psychiatry

Abstract

Background Several studies have applied low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) directed at the left temporoparietal area (TP) for the treatment of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), but findings on efficacy are inconsistent. Furthermore, recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies indicate that the left TP is not a general focus of activation during the experience of AVH. The aims of this study are twofold: to investigate the effects of rTMS on AVH in a double blind, randomized, sham-controlled study; and to investigate whether the efficacy can be improved when rTMS is guided by individual fMRI scans of hallucinatory activation.Methods Sixty-two patients with medication-resistant AVH were randomized over three conditions: rTMS targeted at the area of maximal hallucinatory activation calculated from individual fMRI scans during AVH, rTMS directed at the left TP, and sham treatment. Repetitive TMS was applied during 15 sessions of 20 min each, at 1 Hz and 90% of the individual motor threshold. The severity of AVH and other psychotic symptoms were monitored during treatment and 3-month follow-up, with the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales.Results The effects of fMRI-guided rTMS and left TP rTMS on the severity of AVH were comparable to those of sham treatment. No differences in severity of general psychotic symptoms were found among the three treatment conditions.Conclusions Low-frequency rTMS administered to the left TP or to the site of maximal hallucinatory activation is not more effective for medication-resistant AVH than sham treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.051

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Authors
Slotema, C. W., Blom, J. D., de Weijer, A. D., Diederen, K. M., Goekoop, R., Looijestijn, J., Daalman, K., Rijkaart, A.-M., Kahn, R. S., Hoek, H. W., & Sommer, I. E. C.
Affiliations
  • Parnassia Groep (NL)
  • University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
  • University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
Corresponding author
Slotema, Christina W.
Venue
Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-03
Volume
69
Issue
5
Pages
450-456
ISSN
0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2098660547
Cited by
137
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 22
FWCI
9.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • NWO ZonMW (Dutch Scientific Research Foundation-Dutch National Institute of Health Research
  • Stichting tot Steun (Dutch Support Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hallucinations in medical conditions
Keywords
auditory verbal hallucinations, low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, left temporoparietal cortex, sham-controlled treatment, treatment efficacy, psychotic symptoms
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Double-Blind Method, Drug Resistance, Female, Hallucinations, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Antipsychotic Agents, Treatment Outcome, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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