Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on motor function and cortex excitability in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To explore effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor function and cortex excitability in subacute stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Inpatient hospitals. Subjects: Sixty-five participants were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, 1Hz rTMS, cathodic tDCS combined with 1Hz rTMS (tDCS - /rTMS - ) and anodic tDCS combined with 1Hz rTMS (tDCS + /rTMS - ). Interventions: Four interventions were used, including sham, 1Hz rTMS, and cathodal or anodal tDCS, followed by 1Hz rTMS over contralesional motor cortex, which continued for four weeks. Main measures: Outcome measures were motor function and cortical excitability, evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index, resting Motion Threshold, Motor Evoked Potentials and Central Motor Conduction Time, assessed at baseline, four weeks and eight weeks. Results: At four weeks after interventions, Fugl-Meyer Assessment lower limb change score in tDCS + /rTMS - group was significantly larger than other three groups ( P < 0.001). There were significant differences in bilateral Motor Evoked Potentials changes between tDCS + /rTMS - group and sham group ( P < 0.05). At eight weeks, compared to other groups, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ( P = 0.003), Barthel Index ( P = 0.002), FMA lower limb score ( P < 0.001), and bilateral resting Motion Threshold, Motor Evoked Potentials ( P < 0.05) showed significant changes in tDCS + /rTMS - group. Furthermore, Fugl-Meyer Assessment lower limb change score was associated with increased ipsilesional Motor Evoked Potentials ( r = 0.703 P < 0.001) in tDCS+/rTMS- group. Conclusion: 1Hz rTMS combined with anode tDCS stimulation protocol could be a preferable rehabilitative strategy for motor recovery in subacute stroke patients.