Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?

Introduction. Restoration of upper extremity (UE) functional use remains a challenge for individuals following stroke. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive modality that modulates cortical excitability and is being explored as a means to potentially ameliorate these d...

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Main Authors: Dorian K. Rose, Carolynn Patten, Theresa E. McGuirk, Xiaomin Lu, William J. Triggs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Stroke Research and Treatment
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/305236
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author Dorian K. Rose
Carolynn Patten
Theresa E. McGuirk
Xiaomin Lu
William J. Triggs
author_facet Dorian K. Rose
Carolynn Patten
Theresa E. McGuirk
Xiaomin Lu
William J. Triggs
author_sort Dorian K. Rose
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Restoration of upper extremity (UE) functional use remains a challenge for individuals following stroke. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive modality that modulates cortical excitability and is being explored as a means to potentially ameliorate these deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in the presence of chronic stroke, the effects of low-frequency rTMS to the contralesional hemisphere as an adjuvant to functional task practice (FTP), to improve UE functional ability. Methods. Twenty-two individuals with chronic stroke and subsequent moderate UE deficits were randomized to receive 16 sessions (4 times/week for 4 weeks) of either real-rTMS or sham-rTMS followed by 1-hour of paretic UE FTP. Results. No differences in UE outcomes were revealed between the real-rTMS and sham-rTMS intervention groups. After adjusting for baseline differences, no differences were revealed in contralesional cortical excitability postintervention. In a secondary analysis, data pooled across both groups revealed small, but statistically significant, improvements in UE behavioral measures. Conclusions. rTMS did not augment changes in UE motor ability in this population of individuals with chronic stroke. The chronicity of our participant cohort and their degree of UE motor impairment may have contributed to inability to produce marked effects using rTMS.
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spelling doaj-art-c8741e2ffbcb4e69855c13bb2abebc4f2025-08-20T03:24:08ZengWileyStroke Research and Treatment2090-81052042-00562014-01-01201410.1155/2014/305236305236Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?Dorian K. Rose0Carolynn Patten1Theresa E. McGuirk2Xiaomin Lu3William J. Triggs4Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, Gainesville, FL 32610-0154, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, Gainesville, FL 32610-0154, USABrain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USADepartment of Biostatistics & Children’s Oncology Group, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USABrain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USAIntroduction. Restoration of upper extremity (UE) functional use remains a challenge for individuals following stroke. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive modality that modulates cortical excitability and is being explored as a means to potentially ameliorate these deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in the presence of chronic stroke, the effects of low-frequency rTMS to the contralesional hemisphere as an adjuvant to functional task practice (FTP), to improve UE functional ability. Methods. Twenty-two individuals with chronic stroke and subsequent moderate UE deficits were randomized to receive 16 sessions (4 times/week for 4 weeks) of either real-rTMS or sham-rTMS followed by 1-hour of paretic UE FTP. Results. No differences in UE outcomes were revealed between the real-rTMS and sham-rTMS intervention groups. After adjusting for baseline differences, no differences were revealed in contralesional cortical excitability postintervention. In a secondary analysis, data pooled across both groups revealed small, but statistically significant, improvements in UE behavioral measures. Conclusions. rTMS did not augment changes in UE motor ability in this population of individuals with chronic stroke. The chronicity of our participant cohort and their degree of UE motor impairment may have contributed to inability to produce marked effects using rTMS.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/305236
spellingShingle Dorian K. Rose
Carolynn Patten
Theresa E. McGuirk
Xiaomin Lu
William J. Triggs
Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
Stroke Research and Treatment
title Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
title_full Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
title_fullStr Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
title_full_unstemmed Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
title_short Does Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augment Functional Task Practice to Improve Arm Recovery in Chronic Stroke?
title_sort does inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation augment functional task practice to improve arm recovery in chronic stroke
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/305236
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