Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation-assisted training on lower limb motor function in children
Yan He1,2, Qi Zhang3,4, Ting-Ting Ma1,2
1Department of Paediatric Physiotherapy, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, No. 10 of Jiaomen North street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100068, China.
Insights
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-assisted training significantly improved lower limb motor function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). The experimental group showed greater improvements in walking tests and gross motor function compared to the control group.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) is a condition affecting motor function in children.
- Improving lower limb motor function is crucial for the mobility and independence of children with HCP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-assisted training for enhancing lower limb motor function in children with HCP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 31 children with HCP.
- Participants were divided into a control group (routine rehabilitation) and an experimental group (routine rehabilitation + rTMS-assisted training).
- Outcome measures included walking tests (10MWT, 6MWD), gross motor function (GMFM), gait symmetry, and muscle tone, assessed before and after a 4-week intervention period.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in walking distance, gross motor function, and gait symmetry.
- The experimental group (rTMS-assisted training) demonstrated significantly greater improvements in these measures compared to the control group.
- A significant reduction in triceps surae muscle tone was observed in the experimental group, but not in the control group. Hamstring muscle tone did not change significantly in either group.
Conclusions:
- Repetitive TMS-assisted training is an effective intervention for improving lower limb motor function in children with HCP.
- rTMS-assisted training offers additional benefits beyond routine rehabilitation for gait parameters and muscle tone in this population.
Objective:
To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-assisted training on lower limb motor function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP).
Method:
Thirty-one children with HCP who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into a control group (n = 16) and an experimental group (n = 15). The control group received routine rehabilitation treatment for 30 min each time, twice a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Based on the control group, the experimental group received rTMS for 20 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures included a 10-metre walk test (10MWT), a 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test, D- and E-zone gross motor function measurements (GMFM), the symmetry ratio of the step length and stance time and the muscle tone of the triceps surae and the hamstrings (evaluated according to the modified Ashworth scale), which were obtained in both groups of children before and after treatment.
Results:
After training, the 10MWT (P < 0.05), 6MWD (P < 0.01), GMFM (P < 0.001) and the symmetry ratio of the step length and stance time of the two groups were significantly improved (P < 0.05), there was more of an improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group. There was no significant change in the muscle tone of the hamstrings between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the muscle tone of the triceps surae in the experimental group was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the control group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Repetitive TMS-assisted training can improve lower limb motor function in children with HCP.
