Effects and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive outcomes in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hua Ren, Jian Jiao, Xinru Lan, Chunyan Tan, Ziqi Wang, Haonan Pei, Dezhong Yao, Tiejun Liu, Li Dong

Abstract readSystematic Review

In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Hua RenThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Jian JiaoSleep Medicine Center, Mental Health Center, National Center for Mental Disorders, Sleep Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Xinru LanThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Chunyan TanThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Ziqi WangThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Haonan PeiThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Dezhong YaoThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Tiejun LiuThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Li DongThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE-K Lab for Neuroinformation, Brain-Apparatus Communication Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has been increasingly investigated as a potential treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, its clinical efficacy remains uncertain due to heterogeneous findings across studies. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing active rTMS with sham stimulation or matched control interventions was conducted. Electronic databases were searched from inception. Eligible studies included patients with MCI and reported cognitive outcomes using validated scales, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), or Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT). Results: Fourteen studies contributing 15 datasets were included. Compared with sham or control interventions, rTMS was associated with higher post-intervention scores on the MoCA, MMSE, and RBMT. For the primary MoCA outcome, the pooled effect estimate was significant but accompanied by substantial between-study heterogeneity (Hedges' Conclusion: rTMS may improve cognitive test performance in patients with MCI. However, substantial between-study heterogeneity limits the precision and generalizability of the estimated treatment effect. Although exploratory subgroup analyses suggested variation according to stimulation frequency and site, these findings do not establish definitive effect modifiers or optimal stimulation parameters. Further well-designed, adequately powered trials with rigorous blinding, standardized protocols, and clinically meaningful outcomes are needed to clarify the magnitude and clinical relevance of rTMS effects in MCI.

Indexed as

cognitive functionmeta-analysismild cognitive impairmentrandomized controlled trialsrepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Identifiers

PMID42851578

DOI10.3389/fnagi.2026.1894724

PMCPMC13646044

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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.