The efficacy and mechanism of theta burst stimulation for the relief of dysphasia after a stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe any effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the cerebellum on swallowing dysfunction after cerebellar infarction, and to explore its mechanism.Methods:Sixty-two cerebellar stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 29. In addition to the routine swallowing rehabilitation training, the observation group was treated with iTBS, while the control group was given sham iTBS. The incubation and amplitude of the bilateral suprahyoid muscle motor evoked potential (MEP) were recorded before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The exponential approximate entropy (ApEn) of different brain regions was compared between the two groups during reflex and autonomous swallowing. Swallowing function was evaluated using the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS).Results:MEP incubation in the bilateral suprahyoid muscles had decreased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment in the observation group, and the MEP amplitude in the bilateral suprahyoid muscles of the two groups had increased significantly. The average improvement in the amplitude and incubation in the observation group was significantly greater than in the control group. The average ApEn at C3, C4, P3, P4, T5 and T6 had increased significantly in both groups during both reflex and spontaneous swallowing, with the improvement in the observation group significantly greater. Swallowing function had improved significantly in both groups, but the average PAS grade of the observation group was again significantly better.Conclusions:iTBS can improve the swallowing function of dysphagic cerebellar stroke survivors. This may be due to iTBS improving the excitability of the cerebral cortex and improving motor control of the swallowing muscles.