SynthesisPloS one2025
The effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients: A systemic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Neurostimulation in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: Underlying mechanisms and critical analysis of circuit-based interventions.Molecular psychiatry · 2026Review
- Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation in schizophrenia: current evidence, mechanisms, and future directions.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Review
- Putative Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Candidate Biomarkers of rTMS Efficacy in Improving Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Evidence Boundaries and Translational Pathways.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe research on high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is very ambiguous, particularly the variability in treatment parameters and the need for standardized protocols, and its effectiveness have hardly been provided conclusive evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of high-frequency rTMS on negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients.
methodsSix databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed, PsycINFO and MEDLINE) were searched from inception to March 2024. Relevant data were extracted and analysed by two independent investigators using Cochrane RevMan software (version 5.3) and R software (version 4.3.1).
resultsA total of 17 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included in the current meta-analysis. Compared with control treatment, active rTMS showed advantage in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.38, -0.05, P = 0.009; I2 = 9%]. Subgroup analysis revealed that rTMS with a total treatment course of more than 15 sessions [SMD: -0.31 (95% CI: -0.49, -0.13), P = 0.0007; I2 = 0%], active rTMS with a frequency of 20 Hz [SMD: -0.40 (95% CI: -0.67, -0.13), P = 0.004; I2 = 0%], and active rTMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) [SMD: -0.25 (95% CI: -0.40, -0.09), P = 0.003; I2 = 0%] were significantly effective in terms of reducing negative symptoms.
conclusionsThe effect of rTMS on negative symptoms is influenced by rTMS parameters. We suggest that researchers should focus on changing the frequency, location and length of treatment to improve negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.