# Ultrasonic neuromodulation as a new therapy for spasticity in an animal model of spastic cerebral palsy

## TL;DR

This study explores the use of ultrasound neuromodulation as a potential treatment for spasticity in an animal model of cerebral palsy.

## Contribution

The study introduces and evaluates ultrasonic neuromodulation as a novel therapy for spastic cerebral palsy in an animal model.

## Key findings

- Ultrasound neuromodulation did not significantly improve spasticity in the animal model under the tested parameters.
- Rats in the model groups showed motor limitations and instability after surgery.
- Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of ultrasonic neuromodulation for treating spasticity.

## Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate a new therapeutic option for the spasticity using ultrasound neuromodulation in an animal model of spastic cerebral palsy.

Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in: negative control (NC); positive control (PC); untreated model (UTM); and treated model (TM). Rats in the control groups received sham surgery, and rats in the model groups received the spastic cerebral palsy model surgery. The rats’ motor functions were evaluated by the Rotarod and CatWalk tests before and after surgery. PC and TM groups underwent ultrasonic neuromodulation by a physiotherapeutic ultrasound (intensity 0.1 W/cm2, at 1 MHz) continuous mode for 5 seconds, for seven days.

Twelve rats showed a spastic pattern (UTM = 6 and TM = 6), motor limitations (UTM = 6 and TM = 6), and ten had difficulty feeding (UTM = 5 and TM = 5). One UTM group rat could not recover its preoperative latency time, while the other rats in the model groups did. The speed at which the limbs swung reduced after surgery and increased in subsequent assessments, demonstrating greater instability and a deficit in locomotion balance.

Results were not yet sufficient to assert ultrasound neuromodulation as a possible therapy for spasticity in spastic cerebral palsy in the parameters used, and more studies are necessary.