An interventional study of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in CP (Cerebral Palsy), sponsored by The University of Hong Kong. Recruiting at 1 site in Hong Kong. Open to participants aged 4 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-28.
Sponsored by The University of Hong Kong · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This RCT aims to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnatic stimulation (rTMS) in treating children with hemiplegoc cerebral palsy. The study will measure any improvement in spasticity after using contra-lesional inhibitory rTMS follow by intensive limb training.
Participants will attend a 10-day rTMS treatment sessions, follow by intensive training of the impaired limb. They will also undergo MRI scans before and after the treatment to investiagte the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms that lead to changes clinically by using TMS as well as MR-DKI. Researchers will compare the intervention group and the sham group to see if rTMS could result in improvement of participants' spasticity.
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of lifelong physical disability in childhood, with an estimated prevalence of 1.5 per 1000 living biths for primary school-aged children. Spasticity is the most common symptoms in children with cerebral palsy, leading to muscle weakness affecting gross motor functions and causing complications such as pain, contracture and subluzation which will lead to inability to perform activity-based training and subsequently lead to further muscle weakness. Standard therapy with regular physiotherapy and occupational therapy are essential but time-consuming and the effects might not last for longer duration. Patients or caregivers decline medications because of side effects drowsiness while other interventions such as intra-thecal baclofen pump, rhizotomy or surgery are invasive.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has the ability to modulate excitation of the motor cortex area of the brain. There were past studies suggesting that using contralesional inhibitory rTMS was safe and feasible for patients with paediatric subcortical stroke and seemed to improve hand function in patients with hemiparesis. However, limited studies have been published on the effects of rTMS on improving spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Hence, the objective of this study is to use low-frequency rTMS to the contra-lesional hemisphere in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy to investigate if rTMS follow by intensive limb training would improve spasiticity of these children and whether the improvement can be sustained for a longer time. The underlying mechanisms that lead to the changes clinically will also be investigated by TMS and MRI.
Exclusion Criteria:
The intervention group will receive 1 Hz active rTMS during treatment, lasting for 20 minutes, follow up by 1.5 hours of motor training.
Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
The sham group will not receive any Hz of rTMS during treatment, also lasting for 20 minutes with 1.5 hours of motor training.
Device: Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
1 Hz rTMS treatment for 20 mins, followed by 1.5 hours of motor training.
Sham Hz rTMS treatment for 20 mins, followed by 1.5 hours of motor training.
Modified Ashworth Scale
Clinical measure of spasticity. Scores range from 0 to 4, with a higher score indicate worse in muscle tone
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
The range of motion scores
ROM of thumb adduction, wrist dorsal flexion and extension, and elbow dorsal flexion and extension. Patients' range of motion score will be compared to the normative values
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2)
The BOT-2 provides a comprehensive overview of fine and gross motor skills in children and young adults within school age-range.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
Gross motor function measure
Changes in motor function. A 4-point Likert scale with higher score indicates better motor function
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
Pediatric Quality of Life Cerebral Palsy module
Quality of life measurement. Scores range from 0 to 100 with higher score indicate better quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
MRI Brain: fMRI and DKI
Functional MRI and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging measuring the brain microstructural changes and structural connectivity during the intervention
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
Purdue Pegboard Test
A standardized evaluation tool used to measure gross movements of hands, fingers, and arms, as well as fine fingertip dexterity.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 10, 17 of intervention and 2 months post intervention
Plan to share: No
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The University of Hong Kong