Impact of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with communication strategies on the recovery of verbal communication ability in patients with post-stroke motor aphasia

CHEN Huazheng; WANG Yueling; ZHANG Ana; HUA Hongguo; WANG Yongheng; WEI Xiaodong; LIU Jing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-3429.2025.22.012

Abstract：Objective To explore the impact of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)combined with communication strategies on the recovery of verbal communication ability in patients with post-stroke motor aphasia(PSMA).Methods In total,200 patients with PSMA admitted from April 2023 to March 2024 were included in the study.According to different intervention methods,they were divided into control group(n=102,communication strategy intervention)and combination group(n=98,low-frequency rTMS intervention on the basis of control group).The quantitative electroencephalogram(EEG)parameters,Chinese Rehabilitation Research Center Standard Aphasia Examination(CRRCAE)scores,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score,Tao's Activities of Daily Living Scale(ADL)score and clinical efficacy were observed and compared between the two groups.Results At 1 month after intervention,the frequency bands corresponding to β-and α-wave on EEG,scores of dimensions of CRRCAE and score of ADL were higher in both groups than those before intervention,and the indicators in the combination group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).At 3 months after intervention,the frequency bands corresponding to β-and α-wave on EEG,scores of dimensions of CRRCAE and ADL scores were higher in both groups than those before intervention and those at 1 month after intervention,and the indicators were higher in the combination group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The NIHSS score in the two groups at 1 month after intervention was reduced compared with that before intervention,and the score was lower in combination group than that in control group(P＜0.05).At 3 months after intervention,the NIHSS score in the two groups was lower than that before intervention and that at 1 month after intervention,and the combination group had a lower NIHSS score than the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate of treatment in combination group was 96.94％(95/98),which was higher than 89.22％(91/102)in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of low-frequency rTMS combined with communication strategies in patients with PSMA can effectively promote the recovery of verbal communication ability,significantly improve the neurological function and enhance the quality of life.