The Effect of Cerebellar Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Dysphagia due to Posterior Circulation Stroke, a Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Cerebellum might be active during the task of swallowing. Little is known whether cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could improve post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) due to occlusion in the posterior circulation. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the effect of cerebellar rTMS on dysphagia due to posterior circulation stroke. <b><i>Methods and Analysis:</i></b> Thirty patients with PSD due to occlusion in the posterior circulation will be randomly divided to receive real (<i>n</i> = 20) or sham (<i>n</i> = 10) cerebellar rTMS. Patients in the real rTMS group will receive 250 pulses rTMS at a low intensity with 10 Hz frequency for 10 days (five consecutive days per week). The severity of dysphagia will be assessed with videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) using the Rosenbek penetration aspiration scale (PAS), the pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR), and the dysphagia outcome and severity scale (DOSS) before and immediately after the last session and then again after 1 and 3 months. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be assessed before and after the last session and then again after 1 month and 3 months. The primary outcome is the improvement of swallowing function determined by PAS, PCR, and DOSS. The secondary outcomes include changes in brain connectivity network detected using fMRI. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> This study will determine whether cerebellar rTMS improves dysphagia due to posterior circulation stroke in Chinese patients. Our findings will contribute to a new approach for swallowing function recovery after posterior circulation stroke.