Efficacy of coupling repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and physical therapy to reduce upper-limb spasticity in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

To assess the efficacy of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for decreasing upper-limb muscle tone after chronic stroke. A randomized sham-controlled trial with a 4-week follow-up. Research hospital. Patients with stroke (N=20) with poststroke upper limb spasticity. The experimental group received rTMS to the primary motor cortex of the unaffected side (1500 pulses; 1Hz; 90% of resting motor threshold for the first dorsal interosseous muscle) in 10 sessions, 3d/wk, and physical therapy (PT). The control group received sham stimulation and PT. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment, FIM, range of motion, and stroke-specific quality-of-life scale. All outcomes were measured at baseline, after treatment (postintervention), and at a 4-week follow-up. A clinically important difference was defined as a reduction of ≥1 in the MAS score. Friedman test revealed that PT is efficient for significantly reducing the upper limb spasticity of patients only when it is associated with rTMS. In the experimental group, 90% of the patients at postintervention and 55.5% at follow-up showed a decrease of ≥1 in the MAS score, representing clinically important differences. In the control group, 30% of the patients at postintervention and 22.2% at follow-up experienced clinically meaningful changes. There were no differences between the groups at any time for any of the other outcome measures, indicating that both groups demonstrated similar behaviors over time for all variables. rTMS associated with PT can be beneficial in reducing poststroke spasticity. However, more studies are needed to clarify the clinical changes underlying the reduction in spasticity induced by noninvasive brain stimulations.

Barros Galvão SC ，Borba Costa dos Santos R ，Borba dos Santos P ，Cabral ME ，Monte-Silva K ... -  《-》

Effects on decreasing upper-limb poststroke muscle tone using transcranial direct current stimulation: a randomized sham-controlled study.

To assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on decreasing upper-limb (UL) muscle tone after stroke. A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial with 4-weeks follow-up. Randomization into the tDCS group or the control group. Rehabilitation education and research hospital. Inpatients (N=90, 45 per group; age range, 15-70y; 69 men, 21 women; duration of stroke, 2-12mo) with poststroke UL spasticity. No participant withdrew because of adverse effects. The tDCS group received tDCS to the primary sensorimotor cortex of the affected side with cathodal stimulation, 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks and conventional physical therapy. The control group received sham stimulation (same area as the tDCS group) and conventional physical therapy. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor recovery, and Barthel Index. All outcomes were measured at admission, after treatment, and after follow-up. A clinically important difference (CID) was defined as a reduction of ≥1 in the MAS score. Compared with the sham tDCS group, the active tDCS group had significantly more patients with a clinically important difference after treatment (80% and 78% vs 6% and 9%) and at 4-week follow-up (84% and 82% vs 7% and 4%), and UL motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) assessment improved more significantly in the active tDCS group (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor recovery from 12 [range, 4-26] to 22 [range, 7-50] to 32 [range, 28-41], Barthel Index from 55 [range, 0-85] to 85 [range, 5-100] to 90 [range, 10-100 vs Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor recovery from 8 [range, 3-34] to 10 [range, 8-25] to 15 [range, 6-40], Barthel Index from 55 [range, 25-95] to 65 [range, 30-100] to 75 [range, 40-100], respectively, P<.01). UL muscle tone after stroke can be decreased using cathodal tDCS. Combined with conventional physical therapy, tDCS appears to improve motor function and ADL. Cathodal tDCS over ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex may inhibit primary sensorimotor cortex hyperactivation, resulting in significant reductions in muscle tone.

Wu D ，Qian L ，Zorowitz RD ，Zhang L ，Qu Y ，Yuan Y ... -  《-》

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on lower extremity spasticity and motor function in stroke patients.

Rastgoo M ，Naghdi S ，Nakhostin Ansari N ，Olyaei G ，Jalaei S ，Forogh B ，Najari H ... -  《-》

Cortical and spinal excitability changes after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined to physiotherapy in stroke spastic patients.

Dos Santos RBC ，Galvão SCB ，Frederico LMP ，Amaral NSL ，Carneiro MIS ，de Moura Filho AG ，Piscitelli D ，Monte-Silva K ... -  《-》

How could robotic training and botolinum toxin be combined in chronic post stroke upper limb spasticity? A pilot study.

Pennati GV ，Da Re C ，Messineo I ，Bonaiuti D ... -  《-》