Low frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can alleviate non-fluent aphasia after stroke

Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on non-fluent aphasia in patients after stroke. Methods Forty stroke patients displaying non-fluent aphasia were randomly assigned to an rTMS group and a control group using a random number table. Both groups were treated with conventional language therapy, while the rTMS group was additionally given 0.5 Hz rTMS over the Broca's homologues of the unaffected hemisphere 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The patients were stimulated at 90% of the motor threshold (MT), with 16 second trains and intervals of 3 seconds 48 times (384 pulses) in a session. Before and after the 3 weeks of treatment, the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and the Communicative Abilities in Daily Living (CADL) test were conducted in both groups to evaluate their language function and communication ability. Results Only spontaneous speech improved significantly (P<0.05) in the control group after 3 weeks of treatment. In the rTMS group, the spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and aphasia quotient (AQ) had all improved significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, after the treatment, the average score of the auditory comprehension (153.90±31.79), repetition (82.65±15.14), naming(81.28±22.12) and AQ (63.66±13.64) of the rTMS group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion rTMS applied to the Broca's homologues of the unaffected hemisphere can significantly improve language function in those exhibiting non-fluent aphasia after stroke. Key words: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Stroke; Non-fluent aphasia; Western Aphasia Battery; Communication Abilities in Daily Living