Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Poststroke Aphasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Its Effect Upon Communication
Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research
Liqun, Y., Hongjia, Z., et al. (2020).
Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 63(11), 3801-3815.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of combined treatments of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) and speech-language therapy (ST) for individuals with post-stroke aphasia. Language and communication outcomes are compared between combined treatments and controls (i.e., speech-language therapy alone and sham r-TMS plus ST).
Education Department of Fujian Province (China); Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
From database inception to February 20, 2019
Randomized-controlled trials or studies with the first phase of a randomized controlled crossover trial
17
Combined treatments of LF-rTMS and ST improved the following outcomes in individuals with post-stroke aphasia:<br />
<ul>
<li>naming (SMD = 0.38);</li>
<li>repetition (SMD = 0.52);</li>
<li>comprehension (SMD = 0.46);</li>
<li>written language (SMD = 065); and</li>
<li>everyday communication (SMD = 0.34).</li>
</ul>
This review had several limitations, including the potential for selection bias, unclear blinding status, and small sample sizes within most of the included studies.
Combined treatments of LF-rTMS and ST demonstrated significant improvements in language ability for individuals with chronic (SMD = 0.42) and acute (SMD = 0.38) aphasia following stroke. Limitations to this review included the potential for selection bias, unclear blinding status, and small sample sizes within most of the included studies.
Treatment dosage had the following impacts on language outcomes for adults with post-stroke aphasia: <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Combined treatments of LF-rTMS resulted in superior language outcomes when administered for a duration 2 weeks (SMD = 0.46).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">When treatment lasted 3 to 4 weeks, there was no significant difference between combined treatments and controls. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Delivering 20 minutes of LF-rTMS each session led to improved language ability (SMD = 0.58). </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333;">Limitations to this review included the potential for selection bias, unclear blinding status, and small sample sizes within most of the included studies.</span>
