Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients. The main questions it seeks to answer are: 1. Whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has a positive effect on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients. 2. Which stimulation protocol (low frequency - LF or high-frequency - HF) has better outcomes for improving upper extremity motor function in stroke patients? Participants will receive 10 procedures of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over two weeks. They will be randomly assigned into low-frequency, high-frequency rTMS groups or sham stimulation groups. Upper extremity motor function will be evaluated twice: before stimulation and 3-4 weeks after stimulation. Researchers will compare sham stimulation to see if it has the same or better outcomes for improving upper extremity motor function in stroke patients than real rTMS.
• Ischemic stroke of the middle cerebral artery, confirmed by instrumental tests (CT, MRI).
• Acute hemiplegia/hemiparesis, hand motor deficit, muscle strength ≤ 4 points (as assessed by the Lovett scale).
• Time after the stroke before inclusion in the study is no more than 1 month.
• No severe deficit in cognitive functions.