The potential benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with reminiscence therapy on cognitive function in patients with stroke

Objectives Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability and cognitive impairment, substantially affecting patients’ quality of life and functional independence. Effective strategies for post-stroke cognitive recovery remain limited. To evaluate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with reminiscence therapy on cognitive function and functional independence in stroke patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a rehabilitation hospital from March 2017 to October 2024, including patients with ischemic stroke and cognitive impairment who received either routine treatment (n=68) or TMS combined with reminiscence therapy (n=66). Cognitive and functional outcomes were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results Post-treatment, the TMS plus reminiscence therapy group showed significantly higher MMSE (27.42 ± 3.08 vs. 25.18 ± 3.41, p=0.0001) and MoCA scores (20.05 ± 3.99 vs. 18.44 ± 4.05, p=0.0020), and shorter TMT times (65.28 ± 9.75 vs. 72.45 ± 10.32, p<0.001). FIM scores were also higher (92.18 ± 7.06 vs. 88.35 ± 7.15, p=0.0024). No significant differences in adverse events were observed. Conclusions TMS combined with reminiscence therapy may effectively enhance cognitive function and functional independence in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment.