Effects of 1 Hz Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Applied to Contralateral Cerebral Cortex on Muscle Activity, Muscle Tone and Upper Limb Motor Function in Stroke Patients

This study was to investigate effects of NMES with 1 Hz low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) applied to unaffected cerebral cortex on muscle activities, tone, and motor function of upper limb (UL) in stroke patients. 16 patients were randomly divided into two groups, and experimental group (EG) was subjected to 1 Hz LF-rTMS and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). In control group (CG), Facilitation of hand intrinsic muscles and NMES were performed. It was evaluated using electromyography (EEG), MyotonePRO, and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA). As a result, there were significant differences on EMG of the anterior deltoid, triceps brachii (TB), MyotonePRO, and FMA in the EG. CG showed a significant difference in EMG of TB. Between groups, there was a significant difference in the biceps brachii and TB. It's thought that 1 Hz LF-rTMS and NMES can have a positive effect to improve muscle activity and UL in stroke patients.