Naoyuki Takeuchi, Takeo Tada, Masahiko Toshima, Takayo Chuma, Yuichiro Matsuo, Katsunori Ikoma
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0181

Objective: Recent reports demonstrated that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the unaffected hemisphere improved the affected hand function in chronic stroke patients. We investigated whether 1 Hz rTMS improved the motor learning of the affected hand in patients after stroke.
Design: A double-blind study.
Patients: Twenty patients with chronic subcortical stroke.
Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to receive
either a sub-threshold rTMS over the unaffected hemisphere (1 Hz, 25 minutes) or sham stimulation, and all patients performed a pinching task after stimulation. We evaluated the motor function of the affected hand and the excitatory and inhibitory function of the affected motor cortex by transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Results: Compared with sham stimulation, rTMS induced an increase in the excitability of the affected motor cortex (p<0. 001) and an improvement in acceleration of the affected hand (p=0. 006). Moreover, the effect of motor training on pinch force was enhanced by rTMS (p<0. 001). These improvement in the motor function lasted for one week after rTMS and motor training (p<0. 001).
Conclusion: rTMS improved the motor learning of the affected hand in patients after stroke; thus, it can apply as a new rehabilitation strategy for patients after stroke.