Short- and Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Poststroke Visuospatial Neglect

Abstract

Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and select a suitable protocol for poststroke visuospatial neglect. Design PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies from the inception date to October 31, 2021. The inclusion criteria were (1) randomized controlled trials, (2) people with visuospatial neglect, (3) treatment with different repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols, (4) comparison with sham or blank control, and (5) reports of performance measurements. Results Data were obtained from 11 randomized controlled trials. The effects of immediate and 1-mo postintervention were measured using line bisection test, cancellation test, and Catherine Bergego Scale. Results showed statistically significant improvement when applying low-frequency (0.5–1 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or continuous theta burst stimulation to the left hemisphere on short- and long-term line bisection test (standardized mean difference = −1.10, 95% confidence interval = −1.84 to −0.37; standardized mean difference = −1.25, 95% confidence interval = −2.11 to −0.39) and cancellation test (standardized mean difference = 1.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.45 to 1.71; standardized mean difference = 1.45, 95% confidence interval = 0.42, 2.47). Conclusions Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be considered a treatment option for poststroke visuospatial neglect. This review proves that a decrease in neuronal excitation in the left hemisphere, which restores the interhemispheric balance, benefits poststroke visuospatial neglect.