Abstract
Copyright 2019 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ain Shams University. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
Purpose
This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy.
Methods
Fifty-five patients with drug resistant neocortical focal epilepsy were screened and 30 patients were divided into two groups (active and sham ) were given (0.5 hz , 1000 pulses , 90%of resting motor threshold (rMT)) on stimulation site detected by correlation between clinical semiology, EEG and or MRI finding. Seizures frequency, severity and seizure free days were compared for one month before and after rTMS with no change in antiepileptic drugs. We assumed 50% seizure reductionrate after rTMS.
Results
Seizures significantly decreased following rTMS treatment 50% seizure reduction was achieved 87.5%inthe active rTMS groupand50% in the sham rTMS group(p > 0.03).in the follow-up period compared to baseline period. Seizure free days %increase in active group 20.7% compared to sham group 7.5% (p = 0.0501).
Significance
Low-frequency rTMS delivered into the epileptogenic zone had a significant antiepileptic effect on patients with drug resistant neocortical focal epilepsy.
© 2018 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ain Shams University
Role of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Drug Resistant Focal Epilepsy: A Controlled Clinical Study
