Objective: To compare the effects of olanzapine combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or modified electric convulsive (MECT) therapy on schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 84 cases of patients with schizophrenia were collected and divided into the olanzapine plus MECT (n=42) and the olanzapine plus rTMS group (n=42). The positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate the efficacy at the end of 2nd, 4th and 8th week after treatment. The adverse reactions Scale (TESS) was introduced to evaluate the adverse reactions. The cognitive function was evaluated with Weschler Memory Scale (WMS) and Wisconsin Card Test (WCST). Results: There was no significant difference in the total effective rate, total score of PANSS, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and general pathological symptoms between MECT and rTMS group (P>0.05). But the total score of PANSS, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and general pathological symptoms were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) after treatment. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between rTMS and MECT group (P>0.05). However, the cognition was obviously ameliorated following treatment with olanzapine plus rTMS or MECT (P<0.05, P<0.01). and higher improvement in memory and execution capacity was observed in olanzapine plus rTMS groups, when compared with olanzapine plus MECT group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The combined application of olanzapine with rTMS or MECT had the similar efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia, but the former exhibited the higher therapeutic effect on the improvement of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]