The effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the lower limb functioning of stroke survivors
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240709-00566
- VernacularTitle:高频重复经颅磁刺激对脑卒中患者下肢功能的影响
- Author:
Bin SU
1
;
Zhiwei TANG
;
Li ZHANG
;
Hewei WANG
;
Weiwei ZHAO
;
Jinyu YANG
;
Ze ZHENG
;
Wang YAO
;
Guilan HUANG
Author Information
1. 江苏医药职业学院康复医学院，盐城 224005
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation;
Stroke;
Double cone coils;
Lower limb motor function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(3):209-215
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To document any effect of repeated high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using double-cone coils on the lower limb motor function of stroke survivors.Methods:A total of 40 stroke survivors were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a sham stimulation group, each of 20. The rTMS group received rTMS at 10Hz with a double-cone coil, while a coil that produced sound but no magnetic stimulation was used with the sham group. The treatments were administered daily, five times a week, for three weeks. Before as well as after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment, lower limb motor function, balance, and the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Brunnstrom staging, the TecnoBody balance assessment system, and surface electromyography.Results:Compared with the sham stimulation group, the BBS score of the rTMS group was significantly higher after 2 weeks of treatment, and both the FMA-LE and BBS scores were significantly higher after 3 weeks. The average Brunnstrom stage in the sham group had increased significantly after 3 weeks, but in the rTMS group it had increased after 2 weeks. By 3 weeks there were no significant differences between the two groups. In terms of movement control, the average motion ellipse area in the rTMS group was significantly smaller than among the sham group after 2 weeks, and after 3 weeks the average motion trajectory length was significantly shorter than in the sham group. The average RMS of the rectus femoris in the rTMS group was significantly higher than the sham group′s average after 3 weeks of treatment, indicating improved muscle activation.Conclusions:High-frequency rTMS using a conical coil can effectively improve the lower limb motor function and balance ability of stroke survivors, demonstrating promising clinical application potential.
