Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on post-stroke disfunction of cognition and memory by stimulating right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Methods 40 patients were randomized into the rTMS (n=19) and sham (n=21) groups. The function of cognition and memory were measured before treatment, after treatment and 2 months post-treatment with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) and Rivermead Behaviour Memory Test (RBMT). Results All scores improved in both groups after treatment and 2 months post-treatment (P< 0.001), and improved more in the rTMS group than in the sham group (P<0.01). Conclusion Low-frequency rTMS may improve the function of memory and cognition after stoke.

Key words: stroke, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, memory, cognition