The Effect of Continuous Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Prism Adaptation on the Neglect Recovery in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effect of prism adaptation (PA) combined with continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) on the neglect recovery of stroke patients with unilateral neglect.

Methods: A total of 14 stroke patients with unilateral neglect were randomly assigned to 2 groups including an intervention group undergone PA combined with cTBS over the left intact parietal cortex and a control group. PA combined with sham cTBS was perfomed for 2 weeks in 10 daily sessions. Before and after the intervention, patients were evaluated for visuospatial neglect measured using the Star Cancellation Test (SCT), Line Bisection Task (LBT), Figure Copying Test, and Clock Drawing Task. Neurological function was evaluated using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS).

Results: Both groups (PA alone and PA+ cTBS) showed improvement in their neglected symptoms (measured by SCT, LBT, Figure Copying Test, and Clock Drawing Task), and in their disability in the neurological function (measured by MRS) (P< .05).

Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that, transcranial magnetic stimulation did not increase the effect of PA on neglect symptoms in stroke patients.

Keywords: Stroke; neglect; prism; recovery; theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation.