The Effect of Selective Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Intensive Speech Therapy on Individuals with Post-Stroke Aphasia.
To examine the efficacy of selective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy guided by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with intensive speech therapy (iST) on post-stroke patients with aphasia.



Eight right-handed patients with aphasia in the chronic stage after stroke were grouped into left and right hemisphere-activated for a language task based on pre-intervention fNIRS. Those with left hemisphere activation received 1-Hz TMS to the right inferior frontal gyrus (RtIFG; low-frequency rTMS [LFS] group), and those with right hemisphere activation received 10-Hz TMS to the RtIFG (high-frequency rTMS [HFS] group). The patients underwent an 11-day program of rTMS and iST.



Both groups showed a significant improvement in language function as measured by Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) total score at post-intervention relative to pre-intervention. Furthermore, the pre-to-post SLTA change scores were not statistically different between the groups. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention fNIRS revealed a resolution of the imbalance of interhemispheric inhibition in the LFS group and activation of the target hemisphere in the HFS group.



The administration of fNIRS-guided selective rTMS therapy and iST to post-stroke patients with aphasia induced a significant improvement in language function, with both groups demonstrating a similar degree of improvement.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Takatoshi
T
Hara
Masahiro
M
Abo
Kiyohito
K
Kakita
Yuko
Y
Mori
Makoto
M
Yoshida
Nobuyuki
N
Sasaki
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome