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Should we treat auditory hallucinations with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation?

April 26, 2017Auditory center hallucinations MAGNETIC National PubMed repetitive stimulation transcranial treat

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Should we treat auditory hallucinations with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation?

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OBJECTIVE: Abnormal activations of neural networks implicated in auditory stimuli processing are hypothesized to generate auditory hallucinations (AH) in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Because repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has the potential to modulate neural network activity, several studies have explored its use in treating medication-resistant AH, with mixed results in small-to-medium patient samples. Our aim is to apply a metaanalytic approach to exploring the efficacy of rTMS in treating medication-resistant AH. METHOD: A search of the electronic databases for studies comparing low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS over the left temporoparietal cortex to sham stimulation in patients suffering from medication- resistant AH was performed. Our search was completed by cross-referencing the articles, searching the Current Controlled Trials website, and direct contact with relevant researchers. RESULTS: From 265 possible abstracts, 6 parallel-arm, double-blind placebo-contr