Concurrent use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and constraint, induced movement therapy in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of childhood physical disability. Early CP diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improving outcomes in these patients. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has become a standard therapeutic intervention for children with unilateral CP. CIMT utilizes restraining of the unaffected upper limb to stimulate the use of the paretic upper limb enhancing neuroplasticity in the affected cerebral hemisphere. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe non-invasive technique that stimulates the brain using repetitive magnetic pulses to enhance neuroplasticity. TMS has been shown to improve symptoms of children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as CP. It is predicted that a combined therapy that uses CIMT and TMS is could improve mobility in children with unilateral CP. To determine if combined therapy is beneficial to children with CP and if use of this therapy is feasible for families, we would like to conduct a feasibility trial. In this trial we will enroll 10 children who have unilateral CP, they will either receive:

  1. CIMT and TMS or;

  2. CIMT and fake TMS, fake TMS consist of a child sitting near the TMS machine but not receiving any TMS.

The aim of this project is to determine if it is feasible to conduct a large randomized control trial to compare the effects of combined CIMT and TMS versus CIMT and fake TMS. We also hope that by conducting this trial we can identify any benefits that the addition of TMS may have in children with CP.

Visuable Team