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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC psychiatry

Temporal interference stimulation for working memory deficits in schizophrenia: a pilot trial.

  • Zongyu Zhang1
  • Jingtao Chi1
  • Qi Wang1
  • Yunyi Han2
  • Wenpeng Hou3,4,5
  • Jingjing Zhou6,7,8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Fengtai Mental Health Center, Beijing, 100076, China.
  2. 2The First Psychiatric Hospital of Harbin, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150026, China.
  3. 3Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100088, China. [email protected].
  4. 4Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. [email protected].
  5. 5Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China. [email protected].
  6. 6Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100088, China. [email protected].
  7. 7Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. [email protected].
  8. 8Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China. [email protected].
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Abstract

Background

Working memory impairment represents a core domain of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Temporal interference stimulation (TIs) is a novel neuromodulation approach that enables focal and noninvasive stimulation across cortical and subcortical regions. This study was performed to assess the feasibility, safety, and working memory changes associated with TIs in schizophrenia.Methods

This single-arm trial enrolled 20 patients with schizophrenia and working memory impairment from March to April 2025. TIs targeting the posterior parietal cortex was administered twice daily for five consecutive days. Clinical and cognitive assessments were conducted at baseline, week 1, and week 2. The primary outcome was the change in spatial span test score from baseline to week 1. Secondary outcomes included week-2 change in the spatial span test score, changes in the delay-estimation task and continuous performance test (CPT), and changes in clinical symptoms.Results

Twenty patients completed the trial. Spatial span test scores were significantly higher at week 1 than at baseline, and statistically significant increases from baseline were also observed at week 2 in the spatial span test and CPT. No significant correlations were found between cognitive changes and clinical changes. Exploratory subgroup analyses indicated significant increases in spatial span test performance at weeks 1 and 2 among patients in the clinically impaired subgroup, but not among those in the mildly impaired subgroup. No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusion

This trial offers preliminary evidence that TIs is safe and well-tolerated in schizophrenia and is associated with dissociable cognitive increases, particularly among those with clinically significant cognitive impairment at baseline.Trial registration

The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500098361) on March 6, 2025.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhang2026temporal,
  title = {{Temporal interference stimulation for working memory deficits in schizophrenia: a pilot trial.}},
  author = {Zongyu Zhang and Jingtao Chi and Qi Wang and Yunyi Han and Wenpeng Hou and Jingjing Zhou},
  journal = {BMC psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12888-026-08511-1},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009868},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Temporal interference stimulation for working memory deficits in schizophrenia: a pilot trial.
AU  - Zongyu Zhang
AU  - Jingtao Chi
AU  - Qi Wang
AU  - Yunyi Han
AU  - Wenpeng Hou
AU  - Jingjing Zhou
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/14
JO  - BMC psychiatry
DO  - 10.1186/s12888-026-08511-1
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009868
AB  - Background  Working memory impairment represents a core domain of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Temporal interference stimulation (TIs) is a novel neuromodulation approach that enables focal and noninvasive stimulation across cortical and subcortical regions. This study was performed to assess the feasibility, safety, and working memory changes associated with TIs in schizophrenia.Methods  This single-arm trial enrolled 20 patients with schizophrenia and working memory impairment from March to April 2025. TIs targeting the posterior parietal cortex was administered twice daily for five consecutive days. Clinical and cognitive assessments were conducted at baseline, week 1, and week 2. The primary outcome was the change in spatial span test score from baseline to week 1. Secondary outcomes included week-2 change in the spatial span test score, changes in the delay-estimation task and continuous performance test (CPT), and changes in clinical symptoms.Results  Twenty patients completed the trial. Spatial span test scores were significantly higher at week 1 than at baseline, and statistically significant increases from baseline were also observed at week 2 in the spatial span test and CPT. No significant correlations were found between cognitive changes and clinical changes. Exploratory subgroup analyses indicated significant increases in spatial span test performance at weeks 1 and 2 among patients in the clinically impaired subgroup, but not among those in the mildly impaired subgroup. No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusion  This trial offers preliminary evidence that TIs is safe and well-tolerated in schizophrenia and is associated with dissociable cognitive increases, particularly among those with clinically significant cognitive impairment at baseline.Trial registration  The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500098361) on March 6, 2025.
SN  - 1471-244X
ER  -