This study was a multicenter randomized double-blind, sham controlled trial initiated by Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. It is planned to recruit 72 eligible patients with atresia syndrome and randomly divide them into four groups according to the ratio of 1:1:1:1. Group 1 received the sequential stimulation of true tDCS and true rTMS, group 2 received the stimulation of sham tDCS and then true rTMS, group 3 received the stimulation of true tDCS and then sham rTMS, and group 4 received the simulated stimulation of sham tDCS and sham rTMS. The patients were treated for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, once a day in the bilateral M1 area, and in the morning and afternoon on the left and right sides respectively. Each tDCS and rTMS treatment lasted for 20 minutes.Various indicators were evaluated before and after the intervention, and the observation and follow-up were conducted 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention.
This study was a multicenter randomized double-blind, sham controlled trial initiated by Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. It is planned to recruit 72 eligible patients with atresia syndrome and randomly divide them into four groups according to the ratio of 1:1:1:1. Group 1 received the sequential stimulation of true tDCS and true rTMS, group 2 received the stimulation of sham tDCS and then true rTMS, group 3 received the stimulation of true tDCS and then sham rTMS, and group 4 received the simulated stimulation of sham tDCS and sham rTMS. The patients were treated for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, once a day in the bilateral M1 area, and in the morning and afternoon on the left and right sides respectively. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was performed using a 2 Ma DC stimulator. The anode was placed in the M1 area of the target side (corresponding to the electrode position c3/c4 of the 10-20 EEG system), and the cathode was placed on the contralateral shoulder. The left side was done in the morning and the right side was done in the afternoon. Each tDCS treatment lasted for 20 minutes. The sham stimulation was given current stimulation for 30 seconds and gradually decreased to 0. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) intervention was performed 20 minutes after the end of TDCS treatment. RTMS uses an 8-shaped coil placed in the M1 area of the target side to stimulate at a frequency of 10Hz. Each treatment contains 1600 pulses of stimulation for 4 seconds, with an interval of 26 seconds. The total number of pulses is 1600, lasting for 20 minutes. Each time is once a day in the M1 area of both sides. The sequence is the same as that of TDCS, 5 days a week, and the same lasts for 4 weeks. The stimulation coil was placed at 90 degrees during sham stimulation. Various indicators were evaluated before and after the intervention, and the observation and follow-up were conducted 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
72
The stimulation intensity is determined by the individual resting motor threshold (RMT), which is the lowest TMS intensity that the target muscle (such as abductor pollicis brevis) can produce EMG signals with peak to peak values greater than 50 μ V at least 5 times in 10 stimuli by stimulating the motor cortex (M1 area). The actual stimulus intensity was 90% of RMT. Using an 8-shaped coil, locate the M1 area on both sides successively (left side in the morning and right side in the afternoon, in the same order as tDCS). Each treatment included 1600 pulses, 4 seconds of stimulation, with an interval of 26 seconds. Each hemisphere was stimulated once a day for 5 consecutive working days. The unilateral M1 area was stimulated 20 times for 4 weeks, and each stimulation lasted 20 minutes. The real rTMS group and the sham rTMS group were treated with the same regimen. The coil was placed 90 degrees perpendicular to the scalp surface with the same parameters as the active rTMS.
Deliver 2mA DC power through a 5 × 5 cm ² sponge electrode, with the anode placed in the M1 area on one side (left side in the morning and right side in the afternoon) and the cathode placed on the opposite shoulder. Each tDCS treatment lasts for a fixed time of 20 minutes throughout the day, approximately 20 minutes before rTMS treatment, five days a week, with a total of 20 sessions in the unilateral M1 area for a total of 4 weeks. The true tDCS group and the false tDCS group received the same treatment plan. For the false tDCS group, patients felt electrical stimulation within 30 seconds, and then the current gradually decreased to 0mA.
the efficiency
An increase of 5 points in the Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA) score or an increase of one level in the House Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading Scale (HBFNGS) score is considered effective through behavioral assessment.
Time frame: Before intervention, 1-2 days after intervention, and 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention
FMA
FMA comprehensively covers the assessment of upper and lower limb motor function. In the upper limbs, a detailed assessment was conducted on the motor abilities of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands, including joint range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, and fine motor control.
Time frame: Before intervention, 1-2 days after intervention, and 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention
HBFNGS
It is a specialized assessment scale for facial nerve injury, which divides facial nerve function into six levels, from normal to complete paralysis, and provides a detailed grading evaluation of the motor function of facial expression muscles. It has important application value in the diagnosis, treatment effect evaluation, and prognosis judgment of facial nerve injury.
Time frame: Before the intervention starts, 1-2 days after the intervention ends, and 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention ends
Modified Barthel Index
Contains 10 activities of daily living (ADLs), including eating, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, bathing, bed and chair transfer, walking/wheelchair use, going up and down stairs, bowel control, and urination control. The score for each activity is determined by the level of assistance required by the patient to complete the activity, with a maximum score of 10 points. The total score range is 0-100 points.
Time frame: Before intervention, 1-2 days after intervention, and 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention
Motor evoked potential（Mep）
By transcranial magnetic stimulation or electrical stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex, the excitation of cortical motor neurons is triggered, and the generated electrical impulses are transmitted along the corticospinal tract to the anterior horn motor neurons of the spinal cord, thereby causing corresponding muscle contractions and recording potential changes on the muscle surface. In practical operation, the stimulation electrode is usually placed in a specific motor cortex area of the scalp, while the recording electrode is placed in the muscle belly of the target muscle.
Time frame: Before intervention, 1-2 days after intervention
Assessment of TMS-EEG（TEPs）
TEPs refer to the potential changes generated by the synchronous discharge of cortical neurons after TMS pulse stimulation. These potential changes can be recorded through EEG and synchronized with the timing of TMS pulses. TEPs can be used to study the brain's response to stimuli, such as studying the brain's response to different types of TMS stimuli, as well as studying the brain's response to different stimulus intensities. The morphology and amplitude of TEPs can provide information about the activation and inhibition of cortical neurons in the brain.
Time frame: Before intervention and 1-2 days after intervention
Assessment of TMS-EEG（oscillation analysis）
Oscillations refer to the oscillations generated by synchronous firing of cortical neurons after TMS pulse stimulation. These oscillations can be recorded by EEG and synchronized with the time of TMS pulses. TMS triggered oscillations can be used to study the brain's response to stimuli of different frequencies, such as studying the brain's response to TMS stimuli of different frequencies, as well as studying the brain's response to sound or light stimuli of different frequencies. The frequency and amplitude of TMS triggered oscillations can provide information about the activation and inhibition of cortical neurons in the brain, as well as the brain's response to different types of stimuli.
Time frame: Before intervention and 1-2 days after intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.