• Yi Li, Jingjing Fan, Jingyi Yang, Chengqi He, and Shasha Li.
• From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China (YL, JF, JY, CH); Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China (YL, JF, JY, CH); and Department of Psychiatry and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (SL).
• Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Nov 1; 97 (11): 773-781.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on walking and balance function in patients with stroke.DesignMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials published through March 2017 that investigated the effects of rTMS on lower limb function. Main outcomes included walking speed, balance function, motor function, and cortical excitability.ResultsNine studies were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant effect of rTMS on walking speed (standardized mean difference, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.95), particularly ipsilesional stimulation (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.36-1.24). No significant effects were found for balance function (standardized mean difference, 0.10; 95% CI, -0.26 to 0.45), motor function (mean difference, 0.50, 95% CI: -0.68 to 1.68), or cortical excitability (motor-evoked potentials of the affected hemisphere: mean difference, 0.21 mV; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.54; motor-evoked potentials of the unaffected hemisphere: mean difference, 0.09 mV; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.02).ConclusionThese results suggest that rTMS, particularly ipsilesional stimulation, significantly improves walking speed. Future studies with larger sample sizes and an adequate follow-up period are required to further understand the effects of rTMS on lower limb function and its relationship with changes in cortical excitability with the help of functional neuroimaging techniques.To Claim Cme CreditsComplete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME CME OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: 1) Understand the potential neurophysiologic effects of rTMS; 2) Appreciate the potential benefits of rTMS on stroke recovery; and 3) Identify indications for including rTMS in a stroke rehabilitation program.LevelAdvanced ACCREDITATION: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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