Clinical and neurophysiological effects of rTMS on chronic post-stroke hand spasticity.

This observational open-label study evaluates the clinical and neurophysiological effects of multiple sessions of contralesional motor cortex low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) on seventeen patients with chronic post-stroke hand spasticity.

Results

LF-rTMS improved spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, p < 0.001), strength (tip pinch, p = 0.002; grip force, p < 0.001), flexibility (finger tapping test, p = 0.014; tapping test, p = 0.008), motor threshold difference (p < 0.001), and motor evoked potential latency (p = 0.004), with no adverse events reported. Improvement in spasticity persisted after 3 months.

Conclusion

LF-rTMS is a safe and effective therapy for chronic post-stroke hand spasticity.