《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (10): 1205-1210.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.10.011

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Effects of cerebellar theta-burst stimulation on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients

WANG Shurui1,LI Li2()   

  1. 1. School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250014, China
    2. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250001, China
  • Received:2022-07-14 Revised:2022-09-27 Published:2022-10-25 Online:2022-11-08
  • Contact: LI Li E-mail:lily.jinan@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Key R & D Program(2017GSF19114)

Abstract:

Objective To observe the effect of cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients.

Methods From March to December, 2021, 42 stroke patients in Rehabilitation Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected and divided into control group (n = 21) and observation group (n = 21) according to the random number table method. Both groups received routine medicine and rehabilitation therapy, as well as suspension training, including trunk control training, separation exercise strengthening training and alternating lower limb training. Before the suspension training, the observation group was intervened by repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation using the cerebellar iTBS mode, three pulses per plexus, the intra-cluster frequency of 50 Hz, the inter-cluster frequency of 5 Hz, and stimulated two seconds, intermited eight seconds, for 600 pulses. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and four weeks after treatment, and the motor evoked potential (MEP) latencies were compared.

Results All the patients completed rehabilitation training with good compliance, and no adverse events occurred. After treatment, the scores of FMA-LE, BBS and MBI increased in both groups after treatment (|t| > 10.053, P < 0.001), while the MEP latency decreased (t = 5.326, P < 0.001) in the observation group, and the scores of FMA-LE and BBS, and MEP latency were better in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 3.029, P< 0.01).

Conclusion Cerebellar iTBS can promote the recovery of lower extremity motor function in stroke patients.

Key words: stroke, suspension training, cerebellar theta-burst stimulation

CLC Number: