Alpha rhythm-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation effect on the alpha rhythms of children with autism spectrum disorder – an exploratory EEG study
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Background
Quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) studies exploring alpha rhythm-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (α-rTMS) effect on the individual alpha frequency (IAF) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are sparse.
Method
This qEEG study explored the IAF of twenty children (6-12 years old; 16 males) with ASD who were randomly assigned (1:1) to a treatment group (TG) or a waitlist control group (WLCG). The TG received ten α-rTMS sessions over two weeks, while the WLCG acted as control for that period. Next, the WLCG received ten α-rTMS over two weeks. All study participants were followed for one and four months post-study.
Results
Following α-rTMS, the TG showed a significant increase in mean frontal region IAF (M =9.093 to 9.351Hz) compared to the WLCG ( F (1,18) = 6.440, p = 0.021 , ES = 0.263). When the WLCG received α-rTMS, the mean frontal region IAF increased (M = 8.33 to 8.78Hz) but was insignificant ( F (2,18) = 2.720, p = 0.120 , ES = 0.232). The increased regional IAF persisted at one and four months post-α-rTMS follow-up across groups. Additionally, the mean difference between the posterior and frontal region IAF consistently decreased, suggesting improved long-range functional connectivities.
Conclusion
This qEEG study presents provisional evidence demonstrating α-rTMS increases IAF within the frontal region of children with ASD and potentially persists for one to four months. Future robust studies using larger sample sizes and more dimensions of electroencephalographic analysis are warranted.
