TENS and tPCS combo Improves lower limb spasticity in spastic cerebral palsy: Study

The experimental group underwent a combination therapy of tPCS (400 Hz, 1 mA cerebello-cerebral stimulation) and TENS (400 Hz, max 10 mA) for 30 min, followed by 30 min of physiotherapy five times per week for 12 weeks.

The control group underwent physiotherapy only 30 mins per day five times per week for 12 weeks. In total, all groups underwent 60 treatment sessions. The primary outcome measures were the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS). Evaluations were performed 3 days before and after treatment.

The key findings derived were-

1. There was a significant improvement in MAS and MTS scores of the lower limbs in the experimental group compared to the control group in the hip adductors (Left: p = 0.002; Right: p = 0.002), hamstrings (Left: p = 0.001; Right: p < 0.001, and gastrocnemius (Left: p = 0.001; Right: p = 0.000).
2. Moreover, MTS scores of R1, R2 and R2-R1 in left and right hip adduction, knee joint, and ankle joint all showed significant improvements (
   p ≤ 0.05).
3. Analysis of MAS and MTS scores compared to baseline scores showed significant improvements in the experimental group but declines in the control group.

Therefore, it was concluded that "a combination of tPCS and TENS can significantly improve lower limb spasticity in SCP children classified on GMFCS levels III–V with minimal side effects, presenting a novel strategy for addressing spasticity challenges in children with severe SCP."