Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Gait Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients: A Narrative Review

Background: Cerebrovascular stroke alters cortico-subcortical excitability and a number of neural networks in the affected region as well as the apparently unaffected contralateral hemisphere. A potential strategy that could enhance clinical recovery along with functional independence following a stroke is the modulation of these processes using noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Purpose: This review was designed to examine the impact of rTMS training Upon gait parameters in stroke patients. Methods: A thorough search of Science Direct, PubMed, as well as Google Scholar was performed with keywords including Stroke, Transcranial stimulation, as well as gait rehabilitation. The literature search was restricted to publications in the English language. Dissertations, oral presentations, conference papers, unpublished articles, as well as abstracts from smaller scientific investigations were removed. Results: Evidence supports using of rTMS in patients with stroke to improve gait parameters and to be a valuable adjunct to conventional physical therapy Program. Conclusion: Integrating rTMS as a non- invasive modality into the gait training program, could further enhance functional recovery, independence, and gait performance in stroke survivors.