Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Refractory Partial Epilepsy: A Controlled Clinical Study.

Summary Purpose:  This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with refractory partial epilepsy. Methods:  Sixty-four patients with refractory focal epilepsy were screened and 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups by stimulation intensity: 90% (group 1) or 20% (group 2) of resting motor threshold (rMT). Seizure frequency and interictal EEG epileptic discharges were compared between the baseline and follow-up periods. Key Findings:  Seizures significantly decreased following 2-weeks high intensity (90% rMT) rTMS treatment compared with baseline level (p   0.05, respectively). Significance:  Low-frequency high intensity rTMS (90% rMT) delivered into the epileptogenic zone had a significant antiepileptic effect on patients with refractory partial seizures. rTMS treatment can also reduce the interictal epileptic discharge frequency and improve the psychological condition of these patients.