Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 1539-1548.doi: 10.12307/2026.574

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Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy: a network meta-analysis

Cao Xinyan1, Yu Zifu2, Leng Xiaoxuan1, Gao Shiai1, Chen Jinhui1, Liu Xihua3   

  1. 1School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China; 2Shandong Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China; 3Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2024-12-23 Accepted:2025-02-20 Online:2026-02-28 Published:2025-07-18
  • Contact: Liu Xihua, Associate chief physician, Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Cao Xinyan, Master candidate, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Technical Project, No. M-2023142 (to LXH); Shandong Province Medical Workers Science and Technology Innovation Plan Project, No. SDYWZGKCJH2022024 (to LXH)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation have shown positive effects in improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. A network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on the improvement of lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) about repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy were collected from CNKI, WanFang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline. The search time limit was from the inception to October 5, 2024. After screening literature, extracting data and evaluating the risk of bias of included studies, Stata 15.0 software was used for network meta-analysis, AND GRADE profiler was used for quality evaluation. 
RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included, involving 4 treatment measures: conventional therapy, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodic transcranial direct current stimulation. The results of network meta-analysis showed that in terms of improving gross motor function, low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [mean difference (MD)=9.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) (6.61,12.34), P < 0.05] was the most effective. In terms of alleviating spasticity, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [MD =-0.63, 95% CI (-1.72, 0.45), P < 0.05] had the best efficacy. In terms of improving ankle joint range of motion and step speed, transcranial direct current stimulation [MD=2.27, 95% CI (1.37, 3.17), P < 0.05; MD=0.11, 95% CI (0.05, 0.17), P < 0.05] was the most effective. 
CONCLUSION: Existing clinical evidence suggests that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has the best therapeutic effect compared with other intervention measures in terms of improving lower limb gross motor function. In terms of reducing spasticity, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a more significant effect. In terms of improving gait, transcranial direct current stimulation has more advantages.

Key words: non-invasive brain stimulation, cerebral palsy, lower limb motor function, gait, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, motor function rehabilitation, engineered tissue construction

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