Effects of Low-Frequency (0.5 Hz) and High-Frequency (10 Hz) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neurological Function, Motor Function, and Excitability of Cortex in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique. The purpose of our study is to explore the effects of low-frequency (0.5 Hz) and high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS on neurological function, motor function, and excitability of cortex in Chinese ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 240 ischemic stroke patients were collected. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), motor-evoked potential (MEP) cortical latency, central motor conduction time (CMCT), Fugel-Meyer assessment (FMA), Berg balance scale (BBS), and modified Barthel index (MBI) scores were recorded. Results: After treatment, the NIHSS, mRS, MEP cortical latency, CMCT, FMA, BBS, and MBI scores of the high-frequency group and low-frequency group were significantly improved than the sham stimulation group, and the changes in the low-frequency group were more significant (adjusted P<0.05). Compared with the sham stimulation group, high-frequency stimulation reduced the NIHSS score by 9.5%, mRS score by 12.6%, MEP latency by 2.5%, and CMCT by 5.8%, and increased the upper limb FMA scale by 16.4%, lower limb FMA scale by 8.8%, BBS by 26.3%, and MBI by 9.3%, while low-frequency stimulation reduced the NIHSS score by 23.8%, mRS score by 25.3%, MEP Latency by 11.7%, and CMCT by 9.1%, and increased the upper limb FMA scale by 24.1%, lower limb FMA scale by 18.4%, BBS by 27.4%, and MBI by 23.7% in our cohort. Conclusions: Low-frequency rTMS is better than high-frequency rTMS stimulation in improving neurological function, motor function, and excitability of cortex in ischemic stroke.