TY - JOUR T1 - Effect of low frequency rTMS on stiffness of joints of the upper limbs in hemiplegic patients TT - تاثیرات استفاده از rTMSبا فرکانس پایین بر سفتی مفصلی دست بیماران با همی پلژی ناشی از سکته مغزی JF - HBI_Journals JO - HBI_Journals VL - 19 IS - 2 UR - http://sjku.muk.ac.ir/article-1-1376-en.html Y1 - 2014 SP - 103 EP - 113 KW - Stroke KW - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation KW - Rehabilitation KW - Stiffness KW - Wrist Robo Hab N2 - Background and Aim: Disabilities of the upper limbs due to stroke can lead to more prolonged functional problems in comparison to lower limb disabilities, and fewer numbers of investigations have been performed on this problem. Use of magnetic stimulation to produce induction currents in the brain for therapeutic purposes is a new method. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of rTMS plus routine rehabilitation on hand stiffness, and compare them with pure routine rehabilitation program in hemiplegic patients. Method and material: 12 hemiplegic patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Control group, received rehabilitation program with placebo magnetic stimulation, and experimental group, received magnetic stimulation with routine rehabilitation program, 3 times/week for 10 sessions. Using Wrist Robo Hab,we assessed joint stiffness during flexion-extension of the wrist, and supination-pronation of forearm before and after treatment. Results: In the control group we did not find any significant decrease in the resistance of flexor (p=0.207) and pronator (p=0.291) muscles. But in the experimental group the resistance of flexor (p=0.009) and pronator (p=0.035) muscles decreased significantly. Conclusions: rTMS can decrease stiffness of the upper limb joints and can be used in chronic hemiplegic patients, when conventional treatments are not effective. Keywords: Stroke, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Rehabilitation,Stiffness,Wrist Robo Hab. Received: Jul 22, 2013 Accepted: Jan 6, 2014 M3 10.22102/19.2.103 ER -