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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Utilizing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Language Function in Stroke Patients with Chronic Non-fluent Aphasia
Published on: July 2, 2013
A novel TMS framework for assessing neurophysiological recovery at the subacute stage after stroke
Maxine J Shanks1, John Cirillo2, Cathy M Stinear3
1Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Objective:
To use peri-threshold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) intensities to elicit motor evoked potentials (MEPs) during the subacute stage after stroke and assess their association with upper limb motor recovery.
Methods:
Twenty-five MEP+ patients participated in three sessions at 1, 3, and 6 months post-stroke. Single-pulse TMS across a range of stimulation intensities was used to elicit MEPs in four muscles of the paretic and non-paretic upper limb. At each timepoint, threshold matrices were constructed based on MEP amplitude and persistence. A matrix element was suprathreshold if five out of ten stimulations elicited MEPs ≥ 50 μV. A subthreshold element produced MEPs below this criterion. Dexterity was assessed using the nine hole peg test.
Results:
There were fewer suprathreshold, and more subthreshold elements on the paretic compared to the non-paretic side. The number of suprathreshold elements on the paretic side increased between 1 and 6 months post-stroke. Neither sub- nor supra-threshold elements were associated with dexterity recovery.
Conclusion:
The proportion of sub- and supra-threshold elements reflect neurophysiological recovery during the subacute stage after stroke. A threshold matrix framework can identify patients with stable versus dynamic neurophysiology post-stroke.
Significance:
A compositional analysis framework can quantify neurophysiological recovery after stroke.
