RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of using low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) along with donepezil in the rehabilitation of aphasia after cerebral infarction. Methods Fortythree aphasic patients with acute cerebral infarction were assigned into a treatment group or a control group.Both groups received standard basic treatment for acute cerebral infarction.From day 7 on,both groups received oral donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg/d) for 12 consecutive weeks.The treatment group received in addition 2 sessions of low frequency rTMS on the language center of the right hemisphere.The first session started at day 7 after onset,and each session consisted of rTMS on 10 consecutive days (once per day).There was a resting interval of 3 d between the two sessions.The rehabilitation of the aphasia was assessed prior to and after each session,and at the end of the entire 12 weeks of treatment using the western aphasia battery ( WAB ) scoring system and the aphasia quotient (AQ). Results There was no significant difference between the two groups after the first session in terms of the WAB or AQ results.However,the difference in improvement became statistically significant after the second session,as well as at the end of the entire 12 weeks.The average change in AQ was significantly greater in the treatment group. Conclusion Donepezil combined with rTMS early in the acute phase of cerebral infarction is helpful for the rehabilitation of aphasia.