ABSTRACT
ObjectiveAssess the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of schizophrenia and its social function .Methods 156 patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a real rTMS treatment group (n=78) or a sham rTMS treatment group(n=78) ,each patient in the real rTMS group received 20 rTMS sessions over 4 weeks .Efficacy was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at baseline and at 4 weeks .Social function was evaluated u-sing the Personal and Social Performance Scale(PSP) at baseline and at 4 weeks .Results The study group is better than the control group in PANSS total and negative symptoms and PSP total after treatment (P<0 .05) .There is not serious adverse reactions in the treatment .Conclusion rTMS can reduce the negative symptoms and improve social function in schizophrenia with high safety .