Clinical Research
The effects of low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of non-fluent aphasia
Yi Zhang, Wenwei Yun, Min Zhang, Yun Chen, Yin Cao, Xianju Zhou
Published 2019-07-25
Cite as Chin J Phys Med Rehabil, 2019, 41(7): 512-516. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2019.07.008
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of repeated application of low-frequency transcranial magne-tic stimulation (rTMS) when combined with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment non-fluent aphasia after a stroke.
MethodsForty-eight stroke survivors with non-fluent aphasia were randomly assigned to a control group, an HBO group or an observation group, each of 16. All received conventional rehabilitation therapy consisting of drug therapy, speech training and conventional physical exercises, while the HBO and observation groups were additionally given HBO and rTMS combined with HBO respectively. The 1 Hz rTMS was applied over the Broca′s homologues of the unaffected hemisphere. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was used to evaluate the subjects′ language function and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was used to assess their ability in the activities of daily living.
ResultsThere was no significant difference in the average WAB scores among the three groups before the treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment the average WAB and MBI scores of the HBO group and the observation group had improved significantly, and there was then a significant difference among the three groups. The observation group was performing significantly better than the HBO group and the control group in spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, AQ score and MBI score. Pairwise comparisons showed that the observation group′s average WAB score, spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, AQ score and MBI score were the best, followed by those of the HBO group and then those of the control group. All of the differences were statistically significant.
ConclusionsLow-frequency rTMS combined with HBO can significantly improve the language function and the quality of life of patients with non-fluent aphasia. Such combined therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Key words:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Hyperbaric oxygen; Stroke; Non-fluent aphasia
Contributor Information
Yi Zhang
Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Department of Neurology, The Golden Orient Branch, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Wenwei Yun
Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Min Zhang
Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Yun Chen
Department of Neurology, The Golden Orient Branch, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Yin Cao
Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Department of Neurology, The Golden Orient Branch, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
Xianju Zhou
Department of Neurology, Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, China
