Objective      To explore the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the core symptoms

positive and negative affects

and resilience in rehabilitation patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after traumatic injury.       Methods      Forty patients with PTSD scores≥38 were assigned to a treatment group (n=20) receiving 20 Hz rTMS at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) area

and a control group (n=20) receiving sham rTMS at the same area. Treatment was performed in total 10 sessions (once per day

for 15 min

5 day’s treatment followed by 2 day’s resting) for 2 weeks. The 2 groups were assessed before and after treatment according to the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C)

Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) and positive and negative affect scale (PANAS). The PTSD core symptoms (flashback

avoidance

hyperarousal

etc.)

resilience

and positive and negative affects of the 2 groups before and after treatment were compared.       Results      The treatment of 20Hz rTMS at the right DLPFC significantly alleviated the PTSD core symptoms and improved the positive and negative affects (P0.01)

but resilience was no markedly improved (P0.05). No statistically significant improvements were found in the control group (P0.05).       Conclusions      20Hz rTMS at the right DLPFC can enhance positive affect

reduce negative affect

and alleviate the core symptoms of PTSD

and it can be used as the optimal treatment strategy for PTSD.