Article

OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of
low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke
aphasia. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified by performing a search of
electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Knowledge) for articles published until June 2014.
STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting treatments with
low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with
post-stroke aphasia were included. The outcomes included naming, repetition,
comprehension, changes in brain excitability, and adverse events. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Study quality was
evaluated with the PEDro scale. DATA ANALYSIS: Of the 879 articles identified, 4
RCTs were included in the final analysis. Data synthesis showed that
low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was beneficial for
post-stroke patients in terms of naming (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.51; 95%
confidence interval (95% CI) 0.16-0.86) and changes in brain excitability (7.6
+/- 33.55; 95% CI -10.7-26.20). However, the changes in repetition (SMD 0.31; 95%
CI -0.04-0.65) and comprehension (SMD 0.31; 95% CI -0.14-0.75) after stimulation
were not significant. No adverse effects were reported.
The included studies were
of high methodological quality. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that
low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an effective
treatment for recovery of naming. In addition, this treatment favours
reorganization of the left-hemispheric language networks.

Langue : ANGLAIS