Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 577-587.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.05.008

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Effect of cerebellar intermittent theta-burst stimulation on postural control and fall risk in patients with stroke

LI Xinyuan1, ZHENG Jiejiao1,2(), WU Xuejiao3, DUAN Linru2, GAO Yufei1   

  1. 1 School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    2 Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
    3 The First Rehabilitation Hospital in Shanghai, Shanghai 200082, China
  • Received:2025-10-28 Revised:2026-02-27 Published:2026-05-25 Online:2026-05-26
  • Contact: ZHENG Jiejiao E-mail:zjjcss@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan Clinical Research on Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Strategy) for Major Difficult Diseases(22Y31900200)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of cerebellar intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) on postural control and fall risk in stroke patients.
Methods From October, 2024 to August, 2025, 45 stroke patients were recruited from Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. They were randomly divided into control group (n=15), group A (n=15) and group B (n=15). All the groups received conventional medication and rehabilitation. Group A was additionally administered iTBS over the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1), while group B received iTBS over the contralesional cerebellum, for three weeks. Before and after intervention, postural stability indexes (eyes open/closed), limits of stability, directional control score and reaction time were measured using Biodex Balance System, and they were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go Test (TUGT) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT).
Results After intervention, significant group-time interaction effects were observed for eyes open/closed postural stability indexes, limits of stability, directional control score, reaction time, BBS score, TUGT and 10MWT (F>23.487, P<0.001). All the groups improved in all the indexes after intervention (P<0.01). The eyes open/closed postural stability indexes, limits of stability, directional control score and reaction time were the best in group B, followed by group A, and the worst in the control group (P<0.05), while BBS, TUGT and 10MWT were better in groups A and B than in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion Cerebellar iTBS can effectively improve postural control disorders and reduce fall risk in stroke patients, and may be superior to M1 iTBS.

Key words: stroke, intermittent theta-burst stimulation, cerebellum, primary motor cortex, balance, postural control, fall

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