ID 131 – The use of continuous theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods Twenty-two patients with AIS were randomized into two groups to apply real cTBS (rcTBS) or placebo cTBS (pcTBS) on the unaffected hemisphere for 5 days. Resting motor threshold (rMT) and cortical silent period (CSP) were determined before and after the procedure. Hemispheric stroke scale (HSS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were administered before and after cTBS and at one month. Results Upper and lower extremity motor function scores (MFS) were not different between two groups at five days; however, significant improvement was observed in the rcTBS group at one month ( p  = 0.051 and p  = 0.026 respectively). Significantly better results were obtained on mRS in rcTBS group at 5 days and one month ( p  = 0.038; p  = 0.032). Conclusion MFS and mRS were improved with the use of cTBS in AIS patients. rMT found significantly higher affected hemisphere than unaffected hemisphere. Sensitivity of different electrophysiological methods such as intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation should be searched in future studies to detect electrophysiological abnormalities in AIS. Key message cTBS might be a promising tool to promote recovery of AIS patients.