Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of intensity of 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to right Broca's homologue on nonfluent aphasia after stroke. Methods 40 inpatients were equally divided into low-intensity group and high-intensity group, who received rTMS (1 Hz for 10 minutes) once a day and twice a day respectively for 10 days. They were assessed with Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) before and after intervention, and 2 months after intervention. Results The scores of content and fluency, auditory comprehension, naming, repetition and AQ improved more in the high-intensity group than in the low-intensity group (P<0.01). It maintained more for 2 months in the scores of content and fluency, repetition and AQ (P<0.05). Conclusion High-intensity rTMS can promote the improvement of speech in patients with nonfluent aphasia after stroke that remains for a long term.

Key words: stroke, nonfluent aphasia, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rehabilitation