Abstract
Objective
To investigate short-term and long-term effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic
stimulation (rpMS) on spasticity and motor function.
Design
Monocentric, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.
Setting
Neurologic rehabilitation hospital.
Participants
Patients (N=66) with severe hemiparesis and mild to moderate spasticity resulting
from a stroke or a traumatic brain injury. The average time ± SD since injury for
the intervention groups was 26±71 weeks or 37±82 weeks.
Interventions
rpMS for 20 minutes or sham stimulation with subsequent occupational therapy for 20
minutes, 2 times a day, over a 2-week period.
Main Outcome Measures
Modified Tardieu Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (arm score), assessed before therapy,
at the end of the 2-week treatment period, and 2 weeks after study treatment. Additionally,
the Tardieu Scale was assessed after the first and before the third therapy session
to determine any short-term effects.
Results
Spasticity (Tardieu >0) was present in 83% of wrist flexors, 62% of elbow flexors,
44% of elbow extensors, and 10% of wrist extensors. Compared with the sham stimulation
group, the rpMS group showed short-term effects on spasticity for wrist flexors (P=.048), and long-term effects for elbow extensors (P<.045). Arm motor function (rpMS group: median 5 [4–27]; sham group: median 4 [4–9])
did not significantly change over the study period in either group, whereas rpMS had
a positive effect on sensory function.
Conclusions
Therapy with rpMS increases sensory function in patients with severe limb paresis.
The magnetic stimulation, however, has limited effect on spasticity and no effect
on motor function.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
BI (Barthel index), FM (Fugl-Meyer), HAMD-7 (Hamilton Depression Scale–7 items), PP (per protocol), pROM (passive range of motion), rpMS (repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 21, 2014
Footnotes
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has conferred or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
