Effect of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Stimulation Combined with Acupuncture in the Treatment of Apathy Syndrome After Cerebral Infarction

LI Yangyang; LIU Xinxin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2025.01.018

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect of repeat transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)combined with acupuncture on the rehabilitation of post-stroke apathy syndrome(PSA).Methods A total of 84 patients with post-cerebral infarction indifference syndrome hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University from November 2020 to December 2021 were selected as research objects,and divided into control group and experimental group according to the random number table method,with 42 cases in each group.On the basis of routine treatment,rehabilitation and nursing intervention,the control group was treated with low frequency rTMS,and the experimental group was treated with rTMS combined with acupuncture.The intervention cycles were all 4 weeks,using apathy evaluation scale-informant(AES-I)evaluated the improvement of the patients'insensitive level after the intervention,and the daily life quality,living ability and cognitive function of the patients in both groups were evaluated by stroke specialized quality of life scale(SS-QOL),modified Barthel index(MBI)and mini-mental state examination scale(MMSE).Results A total of 79 patients completed the intervention.There was no statistically difference in general information between the two groups of patients(P＞0.05).There was no statistically difference in AES-I scores between the two groups before intervention(P＞0.05).After intervention,the total score of AES-I decreased in both groups,with the experimental group had lower score(P＜0.05).After intervention,the interest,cognition,and behavior scores of the experimental group decreased(P＜0.05).The emotional score also decreased,but there was no statistically difference compared to the control group(P＞0.05).After intervention,the MBI scores of both groups increased,but there was no statistically difference compared to before intervention(P＞0.05).There was no statistically difference in SS-QOL scores between the two groups before intervention(P＞0.05).After intervention,the SS-QOL scores increased in both groups,with the experimental group had higher score(P＜0.05).Before intervention,there was no statistically difference in MMSE scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After intervention,MMSE scores increased in both groups,with the experimental group had higher score(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with low-frequency rTMS therapy can effectively improve the quality of life and cognitive function of patients with post-stroke apathy syndrome,and reduce the level of post-stroke apathy.