A review of 21 studies looked at how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) affects physical recovery in patients who have had a stroke. This type of treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve activity. The researchers focused on several measures of movement, including arm and leg function, as well as hand dexterity.
The findings showed that TMS significantly improved scores on tests for upper limb movement and hand coordination. Specifically, the study noted improvements in the Action Research Arm Test and the Box and Block Test. For upper limb recovery, the results were more positive when treatment lasted longer than two weeks.
However, the researchers found no significant effects on lower limb function or other specific muscle tests like the Wolf Motor Function Test. Because the total number of studies included was small, the evidence is not yet conclusive. More large-scale trials are needed to confirm these results and determine how often this treatment should be used.
