Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Botulinum Toxin Type A for Benign Essential Blepharospasm Patients Accompanied by Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Bo Yin, Bin Peng, Ying Luo, Shanghua Fan, Ting Xiao, Xiaoli Zou, Hongjuan Dong Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hongjuan DongDepartment of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Email [email protected]: To evaluate the improvement of motor, anxiety, and depression in patients with blepharospasm with the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).Methods: A total of 63 BEB patients accompanied by anxiety/depression were enrolled, among which 28 patients were treated with the injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) alone, while 35 patients were treated with BTX-A injection combined with rTMS. All patients were followed up for 6 months, and the overall efficacy was evaluated.Results: BTX-A alone treatment and combined rTMS treatment could both significantly improve the symptoms of patients, and the effective rate was 92.86% and 94.29%, respectively. The duration of efficacy was significantly longer in the combined rTMS treatment group (16.89± 3.39 weeks) than in BTX-A treatment group (13.04± 3.48 weeks). After treatment, SDS score of BTX-A treatment group and combined rTMS treatment group was 49.69± 7.90 and 49.46± 6.73, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups; SAS score of BTX-A treatment group and combined rTMS treatment group was 53.88± 7.34 and 48.79± 6.62, respectively, and there was significant difference between the two treatment groups.Conclusion: Compared to BTX-A alone treatment, BTX-A combined with rTMS can effectively improve the effect of BTX-A, prolong the duration of blepharospasm relief, and significantly reduce depression and anxiety in patients with BEB.Keywords: botulinum toxin type A, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, anxiety/depression disorder, benign essential blepharospasm

Keywords

• botulinum toxin type a
• repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
• anxiety/depression disorder
• benign essential blepharospasm