To investigate the effects of High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex on non-fluent aphasia in patients after stroke.

Six stroke patients displaying non-fluent aphasia were randomly assigned to an rTMS group and a control group using a random number table. Both groups were treated with conventional language therapy. While the rTMS group was additionally given 5Hz rTMS over the motor cortex (M 1) of the affected hemisphere 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The patients were stimulated at 100% of the motor threshold (MT), with 2 second trains and intervals of 3seconds 120 times (1200 pulses) in a session. Before and after the 4 weeks of treatment, the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and the Communicative Abilities in Daily Living (CADL) test were conducted in both groups to evaluate their language function and communication ability.

Only spontaneous speech improved significantly (P<0.05) in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment. In the rTMS group, the spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and aphasia quotient (AQ) had all improved significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, after the treatment, the average score of the auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and AQ of the rTMS group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

rTMS applied to the motor cortex of the affected hemisphere can significantly improve language function in those exhibiting non-fluent aphasia after stroke.