RecruitingNot Applicable

Multi-target TMS for Schizophrenia Negative Symptoms

China64 participantsStarted 2026-05-01

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the first to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a multi-target TMS protocol targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), left inferior parietal lobule (L-IPL), and right orbitofrontal cortex (R-OFC) for negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Who can participate

Age range

16 Years – 45 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Outpatients or inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center;
. Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for first-episode schizophrenia (diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, SCID-5); disease duration less than 5 years at enrollment;
. Male or female aged 16-45 years;
. Education duration ≥ 9 years;
. Stable medication regimen for at least 6 weeks prior to baseline visit and throughout the study period; psychiatric symptoms generally stable within 1 month prior to baseline visit;
. Participants and their guardians can understand and sign written informed consent;
. Total score on the PANSS Negative Symptom subscale (PANSS-N) \> 15, and at least one item score ≥ 3.

Exclusion criteria

. Current or lifetime psychiatric disorders as determined by SCID-5 assessment;
. Severe or unstable physical illnesses, including: neurological disorders (delirium, dementia, stroke, epilepsy, migraine, etc.), congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, malignant tumors, and immunocompromised conditions;

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial is listed as Phase NA, which means it may be an early-stage or exploratory study — can you help me understand what that means for how much is already known about the safety and effectiveness of this multi-target TMS approach for schizophrenia's negative symptoms?
2The trial is measuring changes in the PANSS-N scale, which tracks negative symptoms like low motivation and social withdrawal — do my own negative symptoms fit the kind of severity they're likely looking to study, and is this something worth discussing with my care team?
3TMS involves repeated brain stimulation sessions, which can be a significant time commitment — can you walk me through what the schedule of visits or treatments might realistically look like for someone in my situation?
4Since this trial is specifically focused on negative symptoms rather than positive symptoms like hallucinations, do you think my current symptom profile makes this a potentially relevant option to explore, or would standard treatments be a better starting point for me right now?
5Are there any risks specific to using TMS in people with schizophrenia that I should be aware of before deciding whether to ask about this trial further?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in severity of negative symptoms before and after TBS intervention, i.e., change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - Negative subscale (PANSS-N)

Timeframe: Negative symptoms will be measured at baseline (Day-4±2), immediately after the 50th session of TBS (Day 14), and at 1 week (Day 21), 2 weeks (Day 28), and 4 weeks ( Day 42) after completion of TBS treatment.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07559084

SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12-30

Contact for this trial

Huiru Cui, Ph.D

+86 21 34773230 cuihuiru@163.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More SCHIZOPHRENIA 1 (Disorder) trials