Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With Occupational Therapy On Symptoms And Cognition In Schizophrenia: A...

Cognitive impairment is a core symptom of schizophrenia, severely affecting patients' prognosis and quality of life. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and occupational therapy (OT) show potential efficacy alone, while their combined effects on cognitive function remain to be explored. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 131 hospitalized schizophrenia patients from September 2024 to June 2025. Based on the treatment regimens documented in their medical records, patients were divided into two groups: cohort A (n=67), who received only regular drug treatment and psychological rehabilitation; and cohort B (n=64), who received additional rTMS combined with OT. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (rBANS) scores were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Independent t-tests, chi-square tests, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and linear regression were used to compare differences in symptoms and cognitive function between cohorts and across time points, to assess symptom and cognitive function improvement. There was no significant difference in general data, initial scores of PANSS and rBANS between the two cohorts (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the total scores of PANSS in both cohorts were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the total scores of rBANS were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with week 0/4, where cohort B had a larger change than cohort A (P < 0.05). Moreover, after 8 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences in all subscale scores of PANSS and rBANS between cohort B and cohort A (P < 0.05). In summary, rTMS combined with OT is able to improve the symptoms and cognitive function in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, the effect of an 8-week intervention is greater than that of a 4-week intervention.