Effectiveness of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) on improvement of clinical symptoms in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3).

METHODS

Sixteen SCA3 participants diagnosed by genetic testing were enrolled in this sham-controlled and double-blind trial. They received either a 2-week 10-Hz rTMS intervention or sham stimulation targeting the vermis and cerebellum. The Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale were completed at baseline and poststimulation.

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, the HF-rTMS group demonstrated a significant improvement in the total Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia ( P < 0.0001) and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale scores ( P = 0.002). After 2-week treatment, the real group exhibited decreasing pattern in 3 subgroups, especially for limb kinetic function ( P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term HF-rTMS treatment is a potentially promising and feasible tool for rehabilitation in patients with SCA3. Studies with long-term follow-up need to be carried out in the future and further need to assess gait, limb kinetic function, speech and oculomotor disorders.