ArticleFrontiers in neurology2025
Combine effects of robotic assisted gait training with transcranial magnetic stimulation on gait metrics and balance in stroke patients: a pilot randomized control.
Article in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis 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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Robotic Training and Neural Reorganization in Stroke: A Systematic Review.F1000Research · 2026Pooled it
- The recovery of lower limb function in stroke patients: which sequence of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with lower limb rehabilitation robot is most effective-A randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · 2026Trial
- Recent research on rehabilitation interventions for post-stroke gait and balance in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.BMC health services research · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background and objective: Stroke often causes gait and balance impairments due to disrupted neural control. While robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) improves motor function, combining it with low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) may enhance neuroplasticity and recovery. This pilot RCT investigates the feasibility and synergistic effects of RAGT + LF-rTMS on gait and balance in stroke patients. Materials and methods: This pilot RCT included 21 stroke patients randomized into three groups: RAGT + active LF-rTMS, RAGT + sham rTMS, and control (standard physiotherapy). RAGT used an exoskeleton with adjustable speed (0.8-1.8 km/h) and body-weight support (40-60%). LF-rTMS (1 Hz, 80% RMT) targeted the unaffected hemisphere's M1. Outcomes included 3D gait analysis (spatiotemporal metrics), dynamic balance (COP sway), and clinical scales (FMA-LE, BBS, MMT). Results: The RAGT+TMS group demonstrated more improvements in balance (BBS: Δ22.58 vs. Δ15.40 in RAGT+sham TMS; Conclusion: This study demonstrates that combined RAGT and LF-rTMS significantly enhances post-stroke motor recovery, yielding clinically superior improvements in balance (BBS), gait symmetry, and postural control compared to RAGT alone or conventional therapy. The synergistic effects highlight TMS's potential to augment neuroplasticity when paired with robotic training. While further large-scale trials are needed, these findings support integrating dual-modality approaches for comprehensive stroke rehabilitation. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/indexEN.html, ChiCTR2200066978.
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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.