Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
[Effect of infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function in children with spastic cerebral
Jun-Yan Feng1, Fei-Yong Jia, Hui-Yi Jiang
1Depatrtment of Pediatric, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Insights
Infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly improved motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. This non-invasive therapy enhanced gross and fine motor skills compared to conventional rehabilitation alone.
Area of Science:
- Neuromodulation techniques
- Pediatric neurology
- Rehabilitation medicine
Context:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood motor disorder.
- Conventional therapies offer limited functional recovery.
- Novel therapeutic approaches are needed to improve motor outcomes in children with CP.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (IL-f TMS) as an adjunct therapy for spastic cerebral palsy.
- To assess the impact of IL-f TMS on gross and fine motor function in pediatric CP patients.
Summary:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 75 children with spastic CP compared IL-f TMS plus conventional therapy to conventional therapy alone.
- Motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Fine Motor Function Measure (FMFM) at 1 and 3 months post-intervention.
- The IL-f TMS group showed significant improvements in sitting ability at 1 month and in sitting, crawling, kneeling, and overall GMFM scores at 3 months.
Impact:
- IL-f TMS demonstrates potential as an effective therapeutic intervention for enhancing motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
- This study supports the integration of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques into pediatric rehabilitation protocols.
- Findings suggest IL-f TMS can lead to meaningful improvements in daily living activities for children with CP.
Objective:
To study the therapeutic effects of infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Methods:
Seventy-five children with spastic cerebral palsy were randomly divided into two groups: control (n=33) and treatment groups (n=42). The treatment group accepted infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation besides conventional comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. The control group only accepted conventional comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. Motor functions were assessed by gross motor function measure (GMFM) and fine motor function measure (FMFM) at one and three months after treatment.
Results:
Improvement in the ability to sit in the treatment was better than in the control group at one month after treatment (P<0.05). Improvement in the ability to sit, crawl and kneel, total score of GMFM, and improvement of joint active ability of limbs, grasping ability and operating ability in the treatment group were better than the control group at three months after treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Infra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation can effectively improve motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
