Efficacy of 5-Hz Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Improving...

Here, we aimed to explore the efficacy of 5-Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in improving cognitive function during the recovery phase of stroke.

This was a retrospective study. A total of 33 patients were enrolled, of whom 13 received 5-Hz TMS treatment and 20 did not. Cognitive functioning was assessed before and after treatment.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores increased significantly after treatment in the TMS group compared with the control group (p = 0.0359). MoCA scores in the TMS group also increased significantly after treatment compared with before (p < 0.0001). In the TMS group (including the left-side lesions subgroup and the right-side lesions subgroup), MoCA scores increased only in patients who had received left-side lesions (p = 0.0156). However, we did not find any significant between-group differences in MoCA scores after treatment.

High-frequency (5 Hz) TMS applied to the left DLPFC significantly enhances overall cognitive functioning in patients who are recovering from strokes. Interestingly, we found that when 5-Hz TMS was applied to the left DLPFC, its effects were similar regardless of whether the lesion was ipsilateral to the stimulation site or not.