Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with action-observation-execution on social interaction and communication in autism spectrum disorder: Feasibility study

Jirapimon Kaokhieo; Jarugool Tretriluxana; Pakaratee Chaiyawat; Vorasith Siripornpanich; Kannika Permpoonputtana; Suradej Tretriluxana; Ampika Nanbancha

doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148258

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with action-observation-execution on social interaction and communication in autism spectrum disorder: Feasibility study

Brain Res. 2023 Apr 1:1804:148258. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148258. Epub 2023 Jan 23.

Authors

Jirapimon Kaokhieo¹, Jarugool Tretriluxana², Pakaratee Chaiyawat¹, Vorasith Siripornpanich³, Kannika Permpoonputtana⁴, Suradej Tretriluxana⁵, Ampika Nanbancha⁶

Affiliations

¹ Motor Control and Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
² Motor Control and Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Electronic address: jarugool.tre@mahidol.ac.th.
³ Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
⁴ National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁶ College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

PMID: 36702183
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148258

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a combined high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) with action observation and execution (AOE) on social interaction and communication in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Materials and methods: Fifteen children underwent 10 sessions of 5-Hz HF-rTMS on the right inferior frontal gyrus combined with AOE. An experimental group received the real HF-rTMS while the control group received the sham one. For the AOE protocol, they were instructed to watch and imitate a video showing the procedure, including reaching and grasping tasks, gustatory tasks, and facial expressions. Their behavioural outcomes were evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS) and electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded at three time points: baseline, immediately after each treatment, and at the 1-week follow-up after the 10th treatment.

Results: There were increased VABS subitem scores in the experimental group, including the receptive, expressive, domestic, and community scores but no such increase was observed in the control group. For the EEG, the beta rhythm at C3 and C4 increased in the experimental group. Additionally, positive correlations were observed between changes in the scores for the expressive subitem and changes in the beta rhythm on the C4 electrode at baseline and immediately after treatment in the experimental group. The control group showed no significant differences in any items for both observation and imitation times.

Conclusion: Ten sessions of HF-rTMS combined with AOE could improve both the subitems of communication and daily living skills domain in children aged 7-12 years with ASD. Although it is still inconclusive, this behavioural improvement may be partly attributable to increased cortical activity, as evidenced by beta rhythms.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders; Mirror neuron system; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Child
Communication
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Social Interaction
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation* / methods
Treatment Outcome