TITLE
Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Arm Function and Decreasing Unilateral Spatial Neglect in Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AUTHORS
Cha HG; Kim MK. Institution Cha, Hyun Gyu. Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungbuk College, Hyucheon-dong, Yeongju, Republic of Korea. Kim, Myoung Kwon. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Daegu University, Jillyang, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
ELECTRNIC ADDRESS
skybird-98@hanmail.net
SOURCE
Clinical Rehabilitation. 30(7):649-56, 2016 Jul.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the functional recovery of stroke patients with unilateral neglect.
DESIGN
Randomized controlled experimental study.
SETTING
Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.
SUBJECTS
Thirty patients with stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: an rTMS group (experimental) and a control group.
INTERVENTIONS
Stroke patients in the experimental group underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy and rTMS. Stroke patients in the control group underwent sham therapy and comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. Participants in both groups received therapy 5 days per week for 4 weeks.
MAIN MEASURES
Line bisection, Albert, Box and block and Grip strength tests were assessed before and after the four-week therapy period.
RESULTS
A significant difference in the post-training gains in Line bisection (16.53 SD 9.78 vs. 3.60 SD 5.02), Albert (14.13 SD 4.92 vs. 3.26 SD 2.01), Box and block (15.06 SD 9.68 vs. 6.93 SD 7.52), and Grip strength tests (3.60 SD 2.66 vs 0.80 SD 1.26) was observed between the experimental group and the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the effect size for gains in the experimental and control groups was very strong in AT, BBT (effect size=2.15, 0.77 respectively).
CONCLUSION
We conclude that rTMS might be effective in improvement in reduction of the unilateral neglect and motor function.
