Effect of scalp acupuncture combined with low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on brain function of pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the changes of Electroencephalogram (EEG) spectrum in children with spastic cerebral palsy before and after treatment, and to analyze the effects of scalp acupuncture combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy on brain function. MethodsFrom January 2021 to December 2022, 90 children aged 2–6 with spastic cerebral palsy were treated at our hospital. The patients were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group (combined group, n = 30) received scalp acupuncture combined with low-frequency rTMS treatment. The control group received only scalp acupuncture treatment (n = 30) or rTMS treatment (n = 30). The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the modified Ashworth spasticity scale, and the Gesell scale were used to assess the motor and developmental functions of pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy in each group. ResultsThe patients in the three groups showed different degrees of improvement in EEG after treatment, mainly in wave amplitude reduction, background rhythm slowdown, background rhythm asymmetry improvement and spike and multi-spike/slow wave distribution reduction. The improvement in the scalp-acupuncture combined with low-frequency rTMS group was more significant than that in the other two groups. The GMFCS classification, modified Ashworth score, D and E areas of GMFM, and adaptability, gross motor, and language in Gesell Developmental Diagnostic Scale (GDDS) improved in all three groups after treatment (P < 0.05). In the combined group, the improvement in the modified Ashworth score, the E area of GMFM, and the adaptation, gross motor, and language in the GDDS was more significant than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionBy combining scalp acupuncture with low-frequency rTMS to treat children with spastic cerebral palsy, the brain function is improved by bringing the EEG spectrum towards the normal range, thus improving the mental and developmental functions of the child.