Results Forty-eight RCTs involving 2211 participants (mean age, 38.7 years mean proportion of female patients, 30.6% ) were included.

Secondary outcomes were changes in positive and depressive symptoms.

Main Outcomes and Measures The coprimary outcomes were changes in the severity of negative symptoms and acceptability (ie, dropout rates owing to any reason). The pair-wise meta-analytic procedures were conducted using a random-effects model. Data were independently extracted by multiple observers. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining NIBS interventions for participants with schizophrenia were included.ĭata Extraction and Synthesis The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline was followed. Study Selection A frequentist model network meta-analysis was conducted to assess the pooled findings of trials that evaluated the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), theta-burst stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation on negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Objective To compare the efficacy and acceptability of different NIBS interventions for treating negative symptoms.ĭata Sources The ClinicalKey, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect,, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through December 7, 2021. However, the comparative efficacy of different NIBS protocols for relieving negative symptoms remains unclear. Studies have suggested that noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions may be effective in treating negative symptoms. Importance Negative symptoms have a detrimental impact on functional outcomes and quality of life in people with schizophrenia, and few therapeutic options are considered effective for this symptomatic dimension.

Symptom network analysis definition