Clinical efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) in combination with antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia

The global prevalence of schizophrenia is about 0.40% and in some parts of my country it is 0.54%-0.94%. Its treatment faces many difficulties. Antipsychotic drugs are commonly used treatments, but they have many side effects; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a non-invasive physical therapy, has a certain effect in improving mental and living abilities. This study used a randomized controlled trial to divide 100 patients into an experimental group (rTMS + drugs) and a control group (drugs only) and evaluated them with multiple scales. The relapse rate during the 24-month follow-up period was compared to evaluate rehabilitation and economic value. The results showed that the experimental group had lower Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), higher efficacy and lower relapse rates after treatment; both groups had improved quality of life and cognitive function-related indicators and the experimental group was more significant; the experimental group had higher Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) scores and better economic benefits; there were no serious adverse events in both groups. In summary, rTMS combined with antipsychotic drugs has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of schizophrenia, can improve patients' quality of life and economic benefits and provide a better choice for clinical treatment.