ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied at contralesional hemisphere Broca’s homologue on patients with global aphasia after left massive cerebral infarction. Methods Patients with global aphasia after left massive cerebral infarction in the Department of Neurorehabilitation of China Rehabilitation Research Center between August 2021 and December 2023 were selected. According to the random number table method, patients were randomly divided into a low-frequency rTMS group and a high-frequency rTMS group. rTMS targeted the mirror area within the right hemispheric Broca’s area. Patients’ language ability was assessed pre- and post-treatment by the Chinese version of the western aphasia battery (WAB). Results A total of 27 patients were included, with 14 in the low-frequency rTMS group and 13 in the high-frequency rTMS group. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the WAB test indicators between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). After treatment, WAB scores (spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, naming, repetition, aphasia quotients) in both groups were significantly improved (P<0.05); compared to the low-frequency rTMS group, the high-frequency rTMS group exhibited significant improvement in spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and aphasia quotients (P<0.05). Conclusion The effect of high-frequency rTMS excitation to contralesional hemisphere is better than that of conventional low-frequency rTMS inhibition to contralesional hemisphere in improving the speech function of patients with global aphasia after left massive cerebral infarction.
