Personalized rTMS treatment for patients with persistent auditory hallucinations

RTMS for Refractory Auditory Hallucinations Based on Personalized Targets Using Magnetoencephalography

NA · Shanghai Mental Health Center · NCT06802939

This study is testing a personalized brain treatment using magnetic stimulation to see if it can help people with schizophrenia who hear persistent voices feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages13 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center (other)
Locations1 site (Shanghai)
Trial IDNCT06802939 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on patients with refractory auditory hallucinations, particularly those diagnosed with schizophrenia. It employs magnetoencephalography (MEG) to identify individualized brain targets for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment. The intervention consists of a structured regimen of rTMS sessions aimed at reducing the severity of auditory hallucinations, with careful monitoring and evaluation of patient responses throughout the process. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of personalized treatment plans based on precise brain localization.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are right-handed individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience persistent auditory hallucinations despite adequate antipsychotic treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with major physical illnesses, recent MECT treatment, or contraindications for rTMS are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the severity of auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia, improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of rTMS for auditory hallucinations has been explored, this study's personalized approach using MEG for target localization is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia
* Must be able to right-handed
* Primary school education or above
* Understand and sign a written informed consent form (jointly signed by the guardian and the participant if under 18 years old)
* Existence of persistent auditory hallucinations (defined as: taking sufficient antipsychotic medication for at least 6 months, combined with 3 antipsychotic medications still ineffective, and no significant improvement in auditory hallucinations symptoms, with an AHRS score still\>12)

Exclusion Criteria:

* MECT treatment within the past 3 months
* Major physical illnesses (organic lesions such as sensory and motor disorders, neurological disorders, and traumatic brain injury)
* Taboo symptoms for rTMS treatment (such as intracranial metal implants)
* Aggressive behavior and an impulse to damage equipment
* Metal (including orthodontic treatment, dental implants) and tattoos inside the body
* Claustrophobia

Where this trial is running

Shanghai

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Refractory Auditory Hallucinations, Schizophrenia, auditory hallucinations, rTMS, MEG, Individualized targets

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.