Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation augmentation on group cognitive training for high-function-ing autism spectrum disorder comorbided with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,and electrophysiological mechanisms
QIU Aizhen
WANG Min
WANG Qiushuang
WU Ye
BAO Kexiu
Abstract：Objective To examine the effect and electrophysiological mechanism of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rT-MS)augmentated to group cognitive training(GCT)on children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder(ASD)comorbided with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).
Methods From March to December,2023,70 children diagnosed with ASD+ADHD were recruited from the Affiliated Xuzhou Children's Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and partnering special education centers.They were randomly divided into control group(n=35)and experimental group(n=35).Both groups received standard-ized GCT,twice a week,for ten weeks.During the same period,the control group received sham stimulation,while the experimental group additionally received 1 Hz rTMS over the right temporoparietal junction at 80%of resting motor threshold,five times a week,for ten weeks.Core symptoms were assessed before and after treat-ment with the Social Responsiveness Scale-2(SRS-2),Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised(RBS-R)and Conners Parent Rating Scale-3(CPRS-3)attention-deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales.Resting-state EEG was simultaneously recorded to obtain θ and β power spectral density(PSD)and the θ/β ratio at Fz,Cz and Pz.
Results Two cases in the control group and one in the experimental group dropped down.After treatment,SRS-2 scores(|Z|>4.876,P<0.001)and RBS-R scores(|Z|>4.329,P<0.001)decreased in both groups.CPRS-3 attention-deficit scores(|Z|>4.940,P<0.001)and hyperactivity/impulsivity scores(|t|>16.273,P<0.001)decreased in both groups,and they were lower in the experimental group(Z=4.732,P<0.001;t=-3.169,P<0.01).In the experimental group,Fz θ-PSD decreased significantly(Z=-4.830,P<0.001),and it was lower than that in the control group(Z=-2.609,P=0.009);and the θ/β ratio likewise fell(t=4.754,P<0.001),and it was lower than that in the control group(t=-2.256,P=0.027).
Conclusion Adding rTMS to GCT can further alleviate attention deficits and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in chil-dren with ASD comorbided with ADHD,which may associate with the inhibit of power of θ wave in profrontal contex.
Keywords：repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationgroup cognitive trainingautism spectrum disorderattention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Publication Date：2025-08-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-09-05(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：8( 979-986 )