The efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation on improving motoric
functional impairment of post ischemic stroke patients.
Iin Tammasse1, Khumaira1, Nadya Sumolang1
1
Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Background: Stroke is the 1st leading cause of death in Indonesia (15,4%). Advances have
occurred in the prevention and treatment of stroke during the past decade. One of the current
methods to treat post stroke disability is TMS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a
noninvasive method by which weak electrical currents are induced in the brain by a rapidly
changing magnetic field. The magnetic field passes through the skull, inducing mild electric
currents in the brain, which excite and depolarize neurons in the brain
Aims and objective: This study is a cohort observational study to assess the efficacy of TMS
intervention on improving motoric function of post-stroke patients. In particular, we measured
the patients’ motoric impairment using the European Stroke Scale and compare the result before
and after receiving TMS intervention.
Key Findings: There was an average elevation of 15,48 from pre to post ESS score.
(CI=95%)(p<0,05). The mean of pre- score was 70,19 and the mean of post-score was 85,68
with respectively standard deviation of 18,264 and 13,372
Methodology used: The study population consisted 124 post-ischemic stroke patients, who
were undergoing TMS intervention in a clinic in Indonesia and followed up during January
2015 to September 2015. Inclusion criteria for this study are patients with post non-hemorrhagic
stroke that has motoric functional impairment. The primary outcome measures the therapeutic
efficacy of TMS intervention, using the European Stroke Scale (ESS). Paired T-test was
used to assess the statistical significance of the sample.
Scope of research and areas for future research: we can conclude that TMS is a technology
that can be used to treat patients with post-ischaemic stroke motoric impairment and prevent
further disability in the future. TMS intervention has been proven to be effective to improve
patients’ clinical condition. We also see that there is a possibility of TMS to be used as
solution for other motoric related disorder.