Theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory verbal hallucinations: results of a randomized controlled study

Jochen Kindler; Philipp Homan; Richard Flury; Werner Strik; Thomas Dierks; Daniela Hubl

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2013.03.029

Theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory verbal hallucinations: results of a randomized controlled study

Psychiatry Res. 2013 Aug 30;209(1):114-7. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2013.03.029. Epub 2013 May 4.

Authors

Jochen Kindler¹, Philipp Homan, Richard Flury, Werner Strik, Thomas Dierks, Daniela Hubl

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatric Neurophysiology, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, CH-3000 Bern 60, Switzerland. jochen.kindler@puk.unibe.ch

PMID: 23648282
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2013.03.029

Abstract

One Hertz (1 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). Theta burst protocols (TBS) show longer after-effects. This single-blind, randomized controlled study compared continuous TBS with 1Hz rTMS in a 10-day treatment. Patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. TBS demonstrated equal clinical effects compared to 1Hz TMS.

Keywords: Auditory hallucination; Theta burst; Transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Acoustic Stimulation
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Electroencephalography
Female
Hallucinations / therapy*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia
Theta Rhythm / physiology*
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
Treatment Outcome
Verbal Behavior / physiology*
Young Adult