Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Psychiatry. Oct 19, 2026; 16(10): 119983
Published online Oct 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.119983
Published online Oct 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.119983
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation plus sandplay therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder
Tao Li, Shu-Bin Feng, Ze-Lin Li, Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450018, Henan Province, China
Liang Han, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450018, Henan Province, China
Gang Zhang, Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: Li T designed the research and wrote the first manuscript; Li T, Han L, Feng SB, Li ZL and Zhang G contributed to conceiving the research and analyzing data; Li T conducted the analysis and provided guidance for the research; all authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The authors declare that no AI tools were used in the development or writing of this manuscript and take full responsibility for its integrity, accuracy, and originality.
Supported by Henan Province Medical Science and Technology Research Plan Joint Construction Project, No. LHGJ20240559.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, No. 2026-IITGC-020-001.
Informed consent statement: Patients were not required to give informed consent to the study because the analysis used anonymous clinical data that were obtained after each patient agreed to treatment by written consent.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Corresponding author: Gang Zhang, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 69 Xijuyuan Lane, Lianhu District, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi Province, China. zhanggang2509@163.com
Received: April 17, 2026
Revised: June 15, 2026
Accepted: June 30, 2026
Published online: October 19, 2026
Processing time: 175 Days and 10.9 Hours
Revised: June 15, 2026
Accepted: June 30, 2026
Published online: October 19, 2026
Processing time: 175 Days and 10.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: To further improve intervention outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder, this study evaluated the combination of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and sandplay therapy. Compared with sandplay therapy alone, the combined intervention yielded significantly greater improvements in children’s developmental level, intervention efficacy, and sociability. It also reduced autism severity and improved sleep quality.