Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to hemispatial neglect in patients after stroke: an open-label pilot
Jong Youb Lim1, Eun Kyoung Kang, Nam-Jong Paik
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea.
Objective:
To test whether multiple sessions of inhibitory low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the left parietal area can improve hemispatial neglect after stroke.
Design:
An open-label design.
Patients:
Seven consecutive patients with hemispatial neglect after right hemispheric stroke were compared with 7 retrospectively recruited control patients.
Methods:
Seven patients received a session of 1 Hz rTMS to the left parietal area immediately prior to occupational therapy for 10 days. Seven control patients received only behavioural therapy.
Results:
Baseline values of the line bisection test and the Albert test were comparable in the two groups. The stimulation group showed a greater improvement in the line bisection test than did the control group. However, no differences were found between the two groups according to the Albert test.
Conclusion:
In this pilot study, low-frequency rTMS application to the non-affected left parietal area was found to be safe and to improve line bisection test, which suggests that non-invasive cortical stimulation has a potential role as an adjuvant strategy during cognitive rehabilitation training in patients with hemispatial neglect. A prospective randomized, sham-controlled study is required to determine the beneficial role of non-invasive cortical stimulation on hemispatial neglect.
