Objective: The index study was done to examine any change in tardive dyskinesia, cognitive function and psychopathology following high frequency rTMS of the right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in patients suffering from Psychosis.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation allows non-invasive stimulation of cerebral cortex. Studies have reported role of rTMS in movement disorder specially, Parkinson’s disease. Only few studies have investigated the effect of rTMS on levodopa induced dyskinesia. There is dearth of literature regarding the effect of rTMS on Tardive dyskinesia (TD).

Methods: This was a prospective, hospital based, randomized, double blind, sham controlled transcranial magnetic stimulation study conducted over a period of 22 months. 30 patients having tardive dyskinesia fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The study followed principals of null hypothesis. Purposive sampling was done in the study. Scales applied were- Schooler & Kane criteria for TD, Abnormal Involuntary movement scale (AIMS) by Guy, 1976, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) by Folstein et al, 1975 & Comprehensive psychopathological scale (CPRS) by Asberg et al, 1978. Following block randomization patients were enrolled to sham or active group. Each group received 10 rTMS sessions and evaluated on respective scales regularly (Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks). The study was approved by ethical board for scientific research.

Results: There was no significant difference between socio-demographic & clinical profile of two groups. There was no difference in active group versus sham group over time in AIMS(F=1.2555, p=0.0301, effect size=0.085), MMSE (F=1.140, p=0.335, effect size=0.078)and CPRS(F=0.331, p=0.721, effect size=0.024). There was no significant difference noted within group in all three scales following treatment with rTMS. Headache and anxiety was reported by one & two patients, respectively during sessions of treatment.

Conclusions: The study concluded that there is no positive treatment effect of rTMS DLFPC on Psychopathology, cognition and tardive dyskinesia in patients suffering from psychosis. rTMS is a non-invasive therapeutic tool for varied neurological & psychiatric disorders, though still used mostly for research purpose.

« Back to 2016 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-right-dlpfc-repetitive-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-rtms-on-tardive-dyskinesia-in-patients-with-psychosis/