Effect of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a Patient with Dystonia - Case Report -

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2011;13(1):31-37.
Published online June 1, 2011.

Abstract

We here reported the suppression of dystonia after the low frequency rTMS in a patient with the pediatric stroke. A 21-year old woman with infarction in the left basal ganglia and corona radiata showed the dystonia on right extremities since 4 years old. The Movement score and the Disability score of Burke-Fahn- Mardsen Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was 28.0 and 5. She received a 20 minutes treatment session with 1 Hz rTMS on the left premotor cortex three times per week for 2 weeks. After treatment, the Movement score and the Disability score of BFMDRS scale were improved to 17.5 and 4, respectively. These rTMS effects were maintained for about 2~4 hours after each session. In this case, we observed that lowfrequency rTMS improved specific motor symptom of severe dystonia. We also observed that excessive corticospinal drive could be suppressed by low-frequency rTMS on the premotor cortex.

Key Words: Dystonia, rTMS, Pediatric stroke