Effect Of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation On Non-fluent Aphasia After Stroke

Objective The purpose of this study was to collect clinical date for investigating the effect and safety of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(LF-r TMS)over the Broca’s homologues in post-stroke patients with subacute non-fluent aphasia and exploring the therapeutic value of r TMS.jMethods Thirty-five inpatients with subacute aphasia who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the treatment group(r TMS group)and the control group(sham-stimulation group).There were 17 patients in the treatment group and 18 patients in the control group.Both groups accepted normal therapy including conventional drugs and speech and language therapy.The treatment group received r TMS over the Broca’s homologues of the right hemisphere,stimulation frequency to 1 Hz,stimulation intensity to 80% MT,and the treatment duration was 20 minutes,while the control group were given sham r TMS at the same location.Both goups were treated five days a week for four weeks,a total of 20 times.All the patients were evaluated by Aphasia Battery of Chinese(ABC)before and after the period of r TMS treatment,mainly including spontaneous speech,auditory comprehension,repetition and naming.In the course of the study,five patients failed to complete the study due to various reasons.Finally,thirty patients completed the trial,and each group had 15 patients.Using statistical methods to analyze the data obtained by each group.Results 1.There was no significant difference in age,sex,course of disease and disease type between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).2.Before treatment,the scores of spontaneous speech,auditory comprehension,repetition and naming were not significant different between the two groups(P>0.05).3.After 4 weeks of treatment,the ABC score of the two groups was significantly higher than that before the treatment.(p<0.05).4.The scores of spontaneous speech,auditory comprehension,repetition and naming improved more in the participants who received real r TMS than in the sham-treated participants(P<0.05)after the treatment.5.During the experimental period,there were no significant complications or adverse reactions in all r TMS treatment patients.Conclusion 1.1Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(r TMS)over the Broca’s homologues can promote the improvement of language function on subacute non-fluent aphasia patients after stroke.2.The low-frequency r TMS is a safe and effective method for patients with subacute non-fluent aphasia after stroke.