Effects of Cerebellar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Motor Function of Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

As the core of motor control and learning, the cerebellum is crucial for maintaining posture, regulating muscle tone, and coordinating movement. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies on the application of cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS) to motor dysfunction in patients with stroke. This review aims to analyze cTMS efficacy for stroke patients and further explore the specific effects of different stages of the disease, stimulation modes, stimulation intensity, and treatment duration.

Methods

Six databases were searched comprehensively—CNKI, Wanfang, Web of Science, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Embase—to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to October 2024 that investigated the improvement of physical motor dysfunction in stroke patients using cTMS. Two researchers screened the literature, extracted data, and independently assessed the quality and risk of bias of the included studies using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool 2. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.

Results

A total of 20 RCTs with 812 participants were included. Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis revealed that cTMS significantly improved BBS (Random, MD = 5.19, 95%CI = 3.66–6.72, p < 0.00001), enhanced FMA-LE scores (Random, MD = 1.88, 95%CI = 0.76–3.01, p = 0.001), shortened the TUG (Fix, MD = −1.64, 95%CI = −2.60 to −0.68, p = 0.0008), and 10MWT durations (Fix, MD = −7.66, 95%CI = −12.33 to −2.99, p = 0.001), and increased MEP amplitudes (Fix, MD = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.04–0.87, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis of the BBS showed that cTMS had a significant effect on patients with stroke in the subacute phase (p < 0.00001), with improvements observed using HF-rTMS (p < 0.0001), iTBS (p < 0.00001), and intensities ≤ 80%RMT (< 80% RMT, p < 0.0001; 80% RMT, p < 0.00001). cTMS consistently demonstrated superior effects compared to controls across different intervention durations (5–10 sessions, p = 0.009; 11–20 sessions, p < 0.00001; > 20 sessions, p < 0.00001).

Conclusion

cTMS effectively improves motor function in patients with stroke, particularly during the subacute phase with excitatory stimulation and moderate intensities (≤ 80%RMT).

Trial Registration

PROSPERO number: CRD42024540604