Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to hemispatial neglect in patients after stroke: an open-label pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether multiple sessions of inhibitory low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the left parietal area can improve hemispatial neglect after stroke.


METHODS
An open-label design.


METHODS
Seven consecutive patients with hemispatial neglect after right hemispheric stroke were compared with 7 retrospectively recruited control patients.


METHODS
Seven patients received a session of 1 Hz rTMS to the left parietal area immediately prior to occupational therapy for 10 days. Seven control patients received only behavioural therapy.


RESULTS
Baseline values of the line bisection test and the Albert test were comparable in the two groups. The stimulation group showed a greater improvement in the line bisection test than did the control group. However, no differences were found between the two groups according to the Albert test.


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, low-frequency rTMS application to the non-affected left parietal area was found to be safe and to improve line bisection test, which suggests that non-invasive cortical stimulation has a potential role as an adjuvant strategy during cognitive rehabilitation training in patients with hemispatial neglect. A prospective randomized, sham-controlled study is required to determine the beneficial role of non-invasive cortical stimulation on hemispatial neglect.
Lim
Jong Youb
JY
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea.
Kang
Eun Kyoung
EK
Paik
Nam-Jong
NJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome