The study, reported by major media, involved 200 autistic children aged 4-10 at three hospitals in China. Half of the children had intellectual disabilities. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either real a-cTBS or sham treatment. The treatment group received 10 short sessions per day for five days, and 193 of 200 children completed the trial. Improvements were measured using a recognized questionnaire for social responsiveness and language tests. Children who received real treatment showed greater improvements in social communication immediately and one month later, as well as stronger language gains.
Side-effects were more common in the treatment group (just over half) compared to sham (about 30%), including restlessness and scalp discomfort, which were mild to moderate and resolved on their own. Independent expert Professor Dorothy Bishop questioned the demanding schedule and whether lasting changes could happen so quickly, according to reports. Experts described the results as promising but preliminary. The long-term effects beyond one month remain unclear, and questions persist about the feasibility of the intensive regimen for young children in routine practice.