Comparison of the Effect of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with That of Theta Burst Stimulation on Upper Limb Motor Function in Poststroke Patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference between the therapeutic effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) and that of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), when each is combined with intensive occupational therapy (OT), in poststroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study subjects were 103 poststroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis, who were divided into two groups: the LF-rTMS group (n = 71) and the cTBS group (three pulse bursts at 50 Hz) (n = 32). Each subject received 12 sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of 2,400 pulses applied to the nonlesional hemisphere and 240-min intensive OT (two 60-min one-to-one training sessions and two 60-min self-training exercises) daily for 15 days. Motor function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the performance time of the Wolf motor function test (WMFT) was determined on the days of admission and discharge.

RESULTS:

Both groups showed a significant increase in the FMA score and a short log performance time of the WMFT (p < 0.001), but the increase in the FMA score was higher in the LF-rTMS group than the cTBS group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

We recommend the use of 2400 pulses of LF-rTMS/OT for 2 weeks as treatment for hemiparetic patients.

• Authors: Takahiro Kondo, Naoki Yamada, Ryo Momosaki, Masato Shimizu, Masahiro Abo
• Journal: BioMed research international (Biomed Res Int) Vol. 2017 Pg. 4269435 ( 2017) ISSN: 2314-6141 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29230407 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Combined Modality Therapy (methods)
• Exercise Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Motor Activity (physiology)
• Occupational Therapy (methods)
• Paresis (physiopathology, therapy)
• Recovery of Function (physiology)
• Stroke (physiopathology, therapy)
• Stroke Rehabilitation (methods)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Upper Extremity (physiopathology)