Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly impact cognitive function. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in improving cognitive deficits in various neurological conditions. This study intended to examine the effectiveness of high-frequency rTMS i...

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Main Authors: Esraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy, Rasha El Bialy El Sharkawy, Marwa Abdellah Osman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-05-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00962-9
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author Esraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy
Rasha El Bialy El Sharkawy
Marwa Abdellah Osman
author_facet Esraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy
Rasha El Bialy El Sharkawy
Marwa Abdellah Osman
author_sort Esraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly impact cognitive function. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in improving cognitive deficits in various neurological conditions. This study intended to examine the effectiveness of high-frequency rTMS in improving cognitive deficits in patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Results Before treatment, MOCA scores were significantly lower in the SPMS group (17.53 ± 1.13) as compared to the RRMS group (21.13 ± 1.25; p ≤ 0.05). After rTMS, both groups exhibited significant improvement in MOCA scores, with the RRMS group improving to 28.93 ± 0.96 and the SPMS group improving to 23.67 ± 1.11 (both p ≤ 0.01). However, the magnitude of improvement was more significant in the RRMS group, with a mean improvement of 7.80 ± 1.37 (39.23% ± 7.52%) as compared to 6.13 ± 1.41 (32.81% ± 6.85%) in the SPMS group (p ≤ 0.01 for degree of improvement and p ≤ 0.01 for percentage improvement). Conclusion These findings suggest that high-frequency rTMS may be a beneficial therapeutic option for improving cognitive function in both RRMS and SPMS patients. However, the degree of cognitive enhancement may vary depending on the disease course.
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spelling doaj-art-742cb92b868446c3bd5535b8ec71be5d2025-08-20T02:15:02ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery1687-83292025-05-016111610.1186/s41983-025-00962-9Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMSEsraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy0Rasha El Bialy El Sharkawy1Marwa Abdellah Osman2Menoufia UniversityAl Azhar UniversityAl Azhar UniversityAbstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly impact cognitive function. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in improving cognitive deficits in various neurological conditions. This study intended to examine the effectiveness of high-frequency rTMS in improving cognitive deficits in patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Results Before treatment, MOCA scores were significantly lower in the SPMS group (17.53 ± 1.13) as compared to the RRMS group (21.13 ± 1.25; p ≤ 0.05). After rTMS, both groups exhibited significant improvement in MOCA scores, with the RRMS group improving to 28.93 ± 0.96 and the SPMS group improving to 23.67 ± 1.11 (both p ≤ 0.01). However, the magnitude of improvement was more significant in the RRMS group, with a mean improvement of 7.80 ± 1.37 (39.23% ± 7.52%) as compared to 6.13 ± 1.41 (32.81% ± 6.85%) in the SPMS group (p ≤ 0.01 for degree of improvement and p ≤ 0.01 for percentage improvement). Conclusion These findings suggest that high-frequency rTMS may be a beneficial therapeutic option for improving cognitive function in both RRMS and SPMS patients. However, the degree of cognitive enhancement may vary depending on the disease course.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00962-9Cognitive assessmentRTMSMultiple sclerosis
spellingShingle Esraa Hasan Ebrahim Elsesy
Rasha El Bialy El Sharkawy
Marwa Abdellah Osman
Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
Cognitive assessment
RTMS
Multiple sclerosis
title Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
title_full Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
title_fullStr Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
title_short Efficacy of high-frequency rTMS for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of RRMS and SPMS
title_sort efficacy of high frequency rtms for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis a comparative study of rrms and spms
topic Cognitive assessment
RTMS
Multiple sclerosis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-025-00962-9
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