Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Hemiplegic Stroke

Stroke is one of the major causes of death in the World. Many stroke survivors may suffer from long-term sequelae of stroke such as hemiplegia. The effects of rehabilitation therapy are limited. The development of new treatment strategies is essential. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive method to stimulate the focal area of the brain for restoring brain function. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of rTMS on the motor recovery in patients with hemiplegic stroke.

Inclusion Criteria: * stroke patients with motor weakness * Medical research council (MRC) grade 0-4 * More than 2 weeks after stroke onset * Age 18 years and older * Able to provide consent for the protocol Exclusion Criteria: * History of previous symptomatic stroke * pregnant women * Persons with surgically or traumatically implanted foreign bodies such as a pacemaker, an implanted medication pump, a metal plate in the skull, or metal inside the skull or eyes (other than dental appliances or fillings), intracardiac lines that may pose a physical hazard during magnetic stimulation will also be excluded * Patients with history of seizure disorder or epilepsy * Subjects without the capacity to give informed consent