NON-INVASIVE NEUROMODULATION IN DRUG-RESISTANT PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY: A SCOPING REVIEW
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Ayham Awad
Basil Abu Gheith
Ibrahim Zamara
Oday Hammad
Hadi Amro
Lama Mouharb
Osaid Tanbouz
Lara Ibrahim Ghannam
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Abstract
Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in childhood is associated with a substantial seizure burden, neurodevelopmental morbidity, and limited treatment options, particularly when surgery is not feasible. Non-invasive neuromodulation has emerged as a potential adjunctive strategy; however, the pediatric evidence base remains fragmented across modalities and study designs.
Objectives: This study aimed to map the extent, characteristics, and reported outcomes of the published literature on non-invasive neuromodulation for pediatric DRE.
Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to a pre-registered OSF protocol (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/Q2D5Y) and aligned with JBI guidance and PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. The review focused on children and adolescents aged 0–18 years with DRE treated using non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS/taVNS). Primary studies with original clinical data were included. A total of 5,846 records were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science; 1,560 duplicates were removed; 4,286 records were screened; 19 full texts were assessed; and 16 studies were included.