Article

Motor deficits in cerebral palsy disturb functional independence. This study
tested whether noninvasive and painless repetitive peripheral magnetic
stimulation could improve motor function in a 7-year-old boy with spastic
hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Stimulation was applied over different nerves of the
lower limbs for 5 sessions. We measured the concurrent aftereffects of this
intervention on ankle motor control, gait (walking velocity, stride length,
cadence, cycle duration), and function of brain motor pathways. We observed a
decrease of ankle plantar flexors resistance to stretch, an increase of active
dorsiflexion range of movement, and improvements of corticospinal control of
ankle dorsiflexors. Joint mobility changes were still present 15 days after the
end of stimulation, when all gait parameters were also improved. Resistance to
stretch was still lower than prestimulation values 45 days after the end of
stimulation. This case illustrates the sustained effects of repetitive peripheral
magnetic stimulation on brain plasticity, motor function, and gait. It suggests a
potential impact for physical rehabilitation in cerebral palsy.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS