J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2010 Apr;34(2):168-173.

The Effect of High Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Motor Function in Post-Stroke Patients

• Sohn MK
• Kim BO
• Kim SG
• Choi PS
• Hwang SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the affected hemisphere on the motor recovery and spasticity in chronic post-stroke hemiplegic patients. METHOD: Thirteen chronic stroke hemiplegic patients were randomized to receive real and sham rTMS. rTMS was carried out 10 times at a frequency of 10 Hz with 10 s stimulation followed by 50 s rest, totalling 1,000 stimulations to the affected primary motor cortex using an intensity of 100% of resting motor threshold of unaffected hemisphere. Median nerve H-reflex, modified Ashworth scale (MAS) at elbow and wrist, and manual function test (MFT) were measured at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS
High frequency rTMS resulted in increased H-reflex latency and decreased H-reflex amplitude and H/M ratio. Also MAS decreased and MFT score increased after 2 weeks of treatment.
CONCLUSION
High frequency rTMS in the affected motor cortex might facilitate motor recovery and reduce spasticity in chronic stroke patients.

Keyword

Stroke; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; H-reflex; Modified Ashworth scale; Manual function test

MeSH Terms

Elbow
H-Reflex
Humans
Median Nerve
Motor Cortex
Muscle Spasticity
Salicylamides
Stroke
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Wrist
Salicylamides