SynthesisNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2024
Efficacy of rTMS in treating functional impairment in post-stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 9 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Emerging trends and research hotspots of non-invasive brain stimulation for stroke: a bibliometric and visualization study.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Pooled it
- Global research trends in transcranial magnetic stimulation for stroke (1994-2023): promising, yet requiring further practice.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Pooled it
- Exploration and practice of home care mode for elderly with stroke disability based on ICF theory.Scientific reports · 2026Trial
- Machine learning-based model for prediction of swallowing recovery in post-stroke patients.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2026Article
- A Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System: Achieving Dynamic Monitoring of Neuroplasticity in Clinical Rehabilitation.BME frontiers · 2026Article
- Effects of Navigated rTMS on Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Brain sciences · 2025Review
- Article
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and constraint-induced movement therapy combined in the treatment of post-stroke movement disorders: a narrative review.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2025Review
- Effects of low-frequency rTMS combined with speech and language therapy on Broca's aphasia in subacute stroke patients.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMost stroke patients suffer from an imbalance in blood supply, which causes severe brain damage leading to functional deficits in motor, sensory, swallowing, cognitive, emotional, and speech functions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is thought to restore functions impaired during the stroke process and improve the quality of life of stroke patients. However, the efficacy of rTMS in treating post-stroke function impairment varies significantly. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of the number of patients with effective rTMS in treating post-stroke dysfunction.
methodsThe PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Screening and full-text review were performed by three investigators. Single-group rate meta-analysis was performed on the extracted data using a random variable model. Then subgroup analyses were performed at the levels of stroke acuity (acute, chronic, or subacute); post-stroke symptoms (including upper and lower limb motor function, dysphagia, depression, aphasia); rTMS stimulation site (affected side, unaffected side); and whether or not it was a combination therapy.
resultsWe obtained 8955 search records, and finally 33 studies (2682 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall analysis found that effective strength (ES) of rTMS was 0.53. In addition, we found that the ES of rTMS from acute/subacute/chronic post-stroke was 0.69, 0.45, and 0.52. We also found that the ES of rTMS using high-frequency stimulation was 0.56, while the ES of rTMS using low-frequency stimulation was 0.53. From post-stroke symptoms, we found that the ES of rTMS in sensory aspects, upper limb functional aspects, swallowing function, and aphasia was 0.50, 0.52, 0.51, and 0.54. And from the site of rTMS stimulation, we found that the ES of rTMS applied to the affected side was 0.51, while the ES applied to the unaffected side was 0.54. What's more, we found that the ES of rTMS applied alone was 0.53, while the ES of rTMS applied in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities was 0.53.
conclusionsBy comparing the results of the data, we recommend rTMS as a treatment option for rehabilitation of functional impairment in patients after stroke. We also recommend that rehabilitation physicians or clinicians use combination therapy as one of the options for patients.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.