106. Deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with H-coil coupled with cycling in chronic lower limb dysfuncion after stroke: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study

Abstract

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been recognized as a promising intervention for treatment of post-stroke deficits. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of excitatory Hz rTMS with H-coil over the leg motor areas combined with active cycling on paretic lower limb motor function in chronic post-stroke. rTMS was delivered with the H-coil targeting the lower limbs (real or sham for 11 sessions over 3weeks, with cross-over after 4weeks wash-out, in 12 subjects with first stroke more than 6months before. Lower limb function was assessed with the Fugl-Meyer lower limb scale (FM-LL), with additional timed measures (10-m and 6min walking tests) and modified ashworth scale to the lower limb. No participant reported adverse effects. Real rTMS treatment was associated with a significant improvement in FM-LL scores ( p p =0.007 chi square). The 10min test did not significantly improve and the 6min test improved after both treatments ( p