To investigate the effects of theta burst stimulation(TBS)mode repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS) in the left prefrontal on negative symptoms and cognitive function in the elderly chronic schizophrenic patients.

Totally 48 patients with stable chronic senile schizophrenia (24 cases in r-TMS treatment group and 24 cases in r-TMS pseudo stimulation control group) were selected. The treatment group was given the TBS mode r-TMS performed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The control group was given pseudo stimulation at the same site. Before and after treatment, the brief psychiatric rating scale(BPRS), scale for assessment of negative symptoms(SANS), and positive and negative syndrome scale(PANSS)were used to assess mental symptoms, while Mattis-dementia rating scale(MDRS-2)and social adaptation functioning evaluation(SAFE)were used to assess cognitive function and social function. SPSS 20.0 was used for statistical analysis.Comparisons of the differences between inter groups and intra groups were conducted by independent sample t test and paired t-test.

(1)There were significant differences in the total score of PANSS scale((60.17±3.73), (56.67±3.12)), the negative symptom subscale score of PANSS((20.88±2.94), (17.96±2.33)) and the score of SANS((30.67±1.66), (30.25±1.45)) before and after treatment in the treatment group (all P<0.05). The D-value before and after treatment in the scores of BPRS (t=3.513, P=0.001), PANSS (t=6.048, P<0.01), negative symptom subscale (t=6.610, P<0.01) and SANS (t=8.239, P<0.01) were significantly different between the two groups. (2)There were significant differences in the scores of MDRS-2 and its sub scales before and after treatment in the treatment group (allP<0.05). The D-value before and after treatment in the scores of MDRS-2 (t=6.216, P<0.01), attention (t=4.596, P<0.01), start/maintain (t=6.424, P<0.01), concept formation (t=3.974, P<0.01), construction(t=2.194, P=0.033) and memory (t=3.162, P=0.003) were significantly different between the two groups.(3)There was no significant difference in the SAFE score between the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment (t=0.138, 0.142, both P>0.05).

TBS can improve the negative symptoms and cognitive function in patients with the elderly chronic schizophrenic, but the effect of social function is not clear.

Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation; Theta burst stimulation; Chronic schizophrenia; Elderly; Negative symptoms; Cognitive function