Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy for hemiplegic children with cerebral palsy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in rehabilitating the upper limb functioning of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Methods:Sixty children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were recruited and randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation therapy and intensive one-to-one CIMT of the affected hand for 30 minutes 5 times a week for 4 successive weeks. The healthy hand was immobilized in a hand cushion for 3 hours. The experimental group was additionally provided with 20 minutes of rTMS at 1.0Hz, 5 times a week for the same 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2 FM) and an upper extremities function test (UEFT). Results:After 4 weeks of treatment there was significant improvement in both groups with regard to the average PDMS-2 FM and UEFT scores. The improvement in the experimental group was significantly better.Conclusions:rTMS combined with CIMT can effectively improve upper limb motor function and promote the fine motor development of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.