Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on balance function in stroke patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on balance function in stroke patients.Methods:A total of 238 patients randomized to a rTMS group and a control group by using the random number table at the ratio of 1∶1. Patients in the rTMS group were treated with low-frequency rTMS delivered to the contralateral M1 area, while those in the control group were treated with sham rTMS. The intervention was administered 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Both groups were also treated with conventional physical therapies in addition to rTMS. At one day before the intervention, two days and six weeks after the intervention, Fugl-Meyer Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Modified Barthel index were employed to evaluate the functional outcome of all the patients.Results:After intervention, the scores of Fugl-Meyer Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Modified Barthel index in both groups were significantly improved, and the rTMS group improved significantly more than control group ( P<0.05). When compare to the control group, the rTMS group improved to a significantly greater extent with regard to all the outcomes measures p after intervention and at follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS is beneficial to the recovery of balance function in patients with stroke.