Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetism for Lower Limb Motor Function Recovery in Children With Spastic
1Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
Insights
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with rehabilitation significantly improved lower limb function, reduced spasticity, and enhanced gait in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). This therapy offers better outcomes than sham stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) presents significant challenges in improving patient outcomes.
- Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) specifically affects one side of the body, impacting motor function.
- Effective therapeutic interventions for CP are continuously sought.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the therapeutic impact of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on lower limb function in children with HCP.
- To compare the efficacy of rTMS combined with conventional rehabilitation versus sham stimulation with rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- A controlled clinical trial involving 40 children with HCP, randomly assigned to rTMS or sham groups.
- Both groups received 12 weeks of conventional rehabilitation (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) 5 days/week.
- Low-frequency rTMS was administered to the treatment group, while the sham group received placebo stimulation.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed improvements in spasticity (MAS), dorsiflexion, gross motor function (GMFM-88 D & E), and gait parameters (P < .05).
- The rTMS group exhibited significantly greater improvements across all assessed parameters compared to the sham group (P < .05).
- Improvements were observed in fine motor skills and gross motor development (Gesell scale) in the rTMS group.
Conclusions:
- Low-frequency rTMS, when integrated with conventional rehabilitation, yields superior outcomes for children with HCP.
- This combined therapy effectively enhances gross and fine motor functions, reduces spasticity, and improves gait.
- rTMS represents a promising adjunctive therapy for managing hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Abstract:
The quest for effective treatments for cerebral palsy (CP) remains a significant challenge, crucial for improving outcomes in affected individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on lower limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) through a controlled clinical trial. Forty children with HCP were randomly assigned to either a sham stimulation group or an rTMS treatment group, with 20 participants in each. The rTMS group received low-frequency rTMS in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation, while the sham group received sham stimulation paired with the same rehabilitation. Conventional rehabilitation included physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedic shoes, acupuncture, and other training modalities. Treatments were administered 5 days a week for 12 weeks. We assessed gross and fine motor skills, spasticity, and gait parameters before and after treatment using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), dorsiflexion angle, gross motor function measure 88 (GMFM-88), Gesell developmental scale, and plantar pressure gait analysis. After 12 weeks, both groups exhibited improvements in MAS scores of the affected hamstring muscle, dorsiflexion angles, GMFM-88 D and E zone scores, Gesell developmental scale scores (gross motor), and gait parameters (P < .05). Notably, the rTMS group demonstrated significantly greater improvements (P < .05). Low-frequency rTMS combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy leads to better outcomes in gross and fine motor functions while reducing spasticity and improving gait parameters in children with HCP compared to sham stimulation.
