Effect of cerebellar intermittent theta-burst stimulation on postural control and fall risk in patients with stroke
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.05.008
- VernacularTitle:小脑间歇性θ脉冲刺激对脑卒中患者姿势控制和跌倒风险的效果
- Author:
Xinyuan LI
1
;
Jiejiao ZHENG
1
;
Xuejiao WU
2
;
Linru DUAN
3
;
Yufei GAO
1
Author Information
1. School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
2. The First Rehabilitation Hospital in Shanghai, Shanghai 200082, China
3. Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
stroke;
intermittent theta-burst stimulation;
cerebellum;
primary motor cortex;
balance;
postural control;
fall
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(5):577-587
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cerebellar intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) on postural control and fall risk in stroke patients. MethodsFrom October, 2024 to August, 2025, 45 stroke patients were recruited from Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. They were randomly divided into control group (n = 15), group A (n = 15) and group B (n = 15). All the groups received conventional medication and rehabilitation. Group A was additionally administered iTBS over the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1), while group B received iTBS over the contralesional cerebellum, for three weeks. Before and after intervention, postural stability indexes (eyes open/closed), limits of stability, directional control score and reaction time were measured using Biodex Balance System, and they were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go Test (TUGT) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). ResultsAfter intervention, significant group-time interaction effects were observed for eyes open/closed postural stability indexes, limits of stability, directional control score, reaction time, BBS score, TUGT and 10MWT (F > 23.487, P < 0.001). All the groups improved in all the indexes after intervention (P < 0.01). The eyes open/closed postural stability indexes, limits of stability, directional control score and reaction time were the best in group B, followed by group A, and the worst in the control group (P < 0.05), while BBS, TUGT and 10MWT were better in groups A and B than in the control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionCerebellar iTBS can effectively improve postural control disorders and reduce fall risk in stroke patients, and may be superior to M1 iTBS.
