Effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A on the improvement of lower limb motor function in children with spastic diplegia

Objective To investigate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A on the lower limb motor function of children with spastic diplegia. Methods A total of 60 children with spastic diplegia who were admitted to Xuzhou Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from January to June 2023 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=30): a control group and an observation group. The control group was intramuscularly injected with botulinum toxin type A and underwent traditional comprehensive rehabilitation training, while the observation group received repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of the tibialis anterior in addition to the treatment provided to the control group. During treatment, 1 child in the observation group withdrew, and finally 30 cases in the control group and 29 cases in the observation group were included in the study. Their active range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) scores for regions D and E, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores for triceps surae muscle tone were measured before treatment, and after treatment for 3 and 6 months to evaluate the active ankle dorsiflexion function, balance function, gross motor function, and spasticity of the triceps surae muscle. Results Before treatment, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in active range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion, BBS, GMFM-88 D and E region scores, or MAS scores (P>0.05). Both groups showed improvements in these indicators after treatment for 3 and 6 months compared with those before treatment. The differences between the control and observation groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation after intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A can further improve lower limb motor function in children with spastic diplegia.