What does this research mean for the field?

Combined ipsilesional intermittent and contralesional continuous theta-burst stimulation (i-cTBS) safely improves upper-extremity motor recovery, particularly tremor and dysmetria, in subacute ischemic stroke patients by normalizing interhemispheric excitability. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the safety, clinical efficacy, and neurophysiological effects of combined ipsilesional intermittent and contralesional continuous theta-burst stimulation on upper-extremity motor recovery in subacute ischemic stroke.

August 28, 2026Journal of NeuroEngineering and RehabilitationOpen Access

Combined intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation of the primary motor cortices for upper-extremity motor recovery and cortical excitability in ischemic stroke:a randomized controlled trial

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To determine the safety, clinical efficacy, and neurophysiological effects of combined ipsilesional intermittent and contralesional continuous theta-burst stimulation on upper-extremity motor recovery in subacute ischemic stroke.
Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial allocating 64 patients with first-ever unilateral ischemic stroke (within 3 weeks post-onset) 1:1 to real i-cTBS (n = 32) or sham stimulation (n = 32).
Participants received 10 daily sessions over 2 consecutive weeks, each immediately followed by standardized task-oriented upper-extremity physiotherapy.
The primary outcome was total Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score; secondary endpoints included subscores (tremor, dysmetria, speed) and motor-evoked potential (MEP) parameters.
Total FMA-UE scores improved significantly more in the real i-cTBS group compared to sham over 2 weeks (group × time interaction p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.365).
Confirmatory secondary endpoints showed significant improvements in tremor and dysmetria subscores, while movement speed did not differ between groups.
Motor-evoked potential amplitude in the ipsilesional primary motor cortex increased selectively in the real i-cTBS group (p < 0.001) and correlated moderately with functional motor recovery.

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Implication

Randomized double-blind trial reveals enhanced upper-extremity motor recovery with bilateral theta-burst stimulation in subacute ischemic stroke, indicating improved corticospinal plasticity.

Cite This Study

Yu et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9145ead15324a1df3a924f https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-026-02132-1

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Implication

Randomized double-blind trial reveals enhanced upper-extremity motor recovery with bilateral theta-burst stimulation in subacute ischemic stroke, indicating improved corticospinal plasticity.

Combined intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation of the primary motor cortices for upper-extremity motor recovery and cortical excitability in ischemic stroke:a randomized controlled trial

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Combined intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation of the primary motor cortices for upper-extremity motor recovery and cortical excitability in ischemic stroke:a randomized controlled trial

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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