TY - JOUR
T1 - Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Visual Feedback Training in Improving Neuroplasticity and Lower Limb Function after Chronic Stroke
T2 - A Pilot Study
AU - Cheng, Hsien Lin
AU - Lin, Chueh Ho
AU - Tseng, Sung Hui
AU - Peng, Chih Wei
AU - Lai, Chien Hung
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - After a stroke, sustained gait impairment can restrict participation in the activities listed in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model and cause poor quality of life. The present study investigated the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and visual feedback training (VF) training in improving lower limb motor performance, gait, and corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic stroke. Thirty patients were randomized into three groups that received either rTMS or sham stimulation over the contralesional leg region accompanied by VF training groups in addition to the conventional rehabilitation group. All participants underwent intervention sessions three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included the motor-evoked potential (MEP) of the anterior tibialis muscle, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores, and Fugl–Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity scores. After the intervention, the rTMS and VF group had significantly improved in MEP latency (p = 0.011), TUG scores (p = 0.008), and BBS scores (p = 0.011). The sham rTMS and VF group had improved MEP latency (p = 0.027). The rTMS and VF training may enhance the cortical excitability and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. The potential benefits encourage a larger trial to determine the efficacy in stroke patients.
AB - After a stroke, sustained gait impairment can restrict participation in the activities listed in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model and cause poor quality of life. The present study investigated the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and visual feedback training (VF) training in improving lower limb motor performance, gait, and corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic stroke. Thirty patients were randomized into three groups that received either rTMS or sham stimulation over the contralesional leg region accompanied by VF training groups in addition to the conventional rehabilitation group. All participants underwent intervention sessions three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included the motor-evoked potential (MEP) of the anterior tibialis muscle, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores, and Fugl–Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity scores. After the intervention, the rTMS and VF group had significantly improved in MEP latency (p = 0.011), TUG scores (p = 0.008), and BBS scores (p = 0.011). The sham rTMS and VF group had improved MEP latency (p = 0.027). The rTMS and VF training may enhance the cortical excitability and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. The potential benefits encourage a larger trial to determine the efficacy in stroke patients.
KW - berg balance scale
KW - motor-evoked potential
KW - repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
KW - stroke
KW - timed up and go test
KW - visual feedback training
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U2 - 10.3390/biology12040515
DO - 10.3390/biology12040515
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85154049052
SN - 2079-7737
VL - 12
JO - Biology
JF - Biology
IS - 4
M1 - 515
ER -