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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Utilizing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Language Function in Stroke Patients with Chronic Non-fluent Aphasia
Published on: July 2, 2013
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with aphasia after stoke: A meta-analysis
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital., Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China, China.
Objective:
To perform a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke aphasia.
Data Sources:
Studies were identified by performing a search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Knowledge) for articles published until June 2014.
Study Selection:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting treatments with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with post-stroke aphasia were included. The outcomes included naming, repetition, comprehension, changes in brain excitability, and adverse events.
Data Extraction:
Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Study quality was evaluated with the PEDro scale.
Data Analysis:
Of the 879 articles identified, 4 RCTs were included in the final analysis. Data synthesis showed that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was beneficial for post-stroke patients in terms of naming (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.51; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.16-0.86) and changes in brain excitability (7.6 ± 33.55; 95% CI -10.7-26.20). However, the changes in repetition (SMD 0.31; 95% CI -0.04-0.65) and comprehension (SMD 0.31; 95% CI -0.14-0.75) after stimulation were not significant. No adverse effects were reported. The included studies were of high methodological quality.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an effective treatment for recovery of naming. In addition, this treatment favours reorganization of the left-hemispheric language networks.
