the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on postural stability after acute stroke: a clinical trial

Introduction: balance impairment is a common problem and a major cause of motor disability after stroke. therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rtms) improves the postural balance problems in stroke patients. methods: this randomized double blind clinical trial with 12 weeks follow-up was conducted on stroke patients. treatment was carried with 1 hz rtms in contralateral brain hemisphere over the primary motor area for 20 minutes (1200 pulses) for 5 consecutive days. static postural stability, medical research council (mrc), berg balance scale (bbs), and fugl-meyer assessments were evaluated immediately, 3 weeks and 12 weeks after intervention. results: a total of 26 patients were enrolled (age range=53 to 79 years; 61.5% were male) in this study. administering rtms produced a significant recovery based on bbs (df=86, 7; f=7.4; p=0.01), fugl-meyer scale (df=86, 7; f=8.7; p<0.001), mrc score (df=87, 7; f=2.9; p=0.01), and static postural stability (df=87, 7; f=9.8; p<0.001) during the 12 weeks follow-up. conclusion: according to the findings, rtms as an adjuvant therapy may improve the static postural stability, falling risk, coordination, motor recovery, and muscle strength in patients with stroke.