Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with functional electrical stimulation on hand function of stroke: A randomized controlled trial

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Yang, Zhen^{; *} | Qiao, Linru | He, Jianhua | Zhao, Xue | Zhang, Minyan

Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation, Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Zhen Yang M.D., Department of Rehabilitation, Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. E-mail: shuenyung@icloud.com; ORCID: 0000-0003-0777-9611.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been widely used for hand function recovery in patients with subacute and chronic stroke. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on hand function recovery during convalescence of stroke. METHODS:Patients were divided into3 groups of 20 patients in each. All patients received routine training. rTMS group was treated with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). FES group received functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy. Observation group was treated with low-frequency rTMS and FES. The changes of TMS-MEP in the 3 groups were observed at the time of enrollment and after 2 courses of treatment, respectively, and the total active activity of fingers (TAM) and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) rating scale were evaluated in wrist and hand parts. RESULTS:The amplitude of TMS-MEP was significantly higher than that of FES group. FMA score and TAM score in the observation group were significantly better than that of rTMS group and FES group. CONCLUSION:Low-frequency rTMS combined with FES treatment can effectively improve the range of motion of fingers, and significantly improve the grasp, pinching and other functions of hands.

Keywords: Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, stroke, hand function

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-220074

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 283-289, 2022