{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,27]],"date-time":"2026-10-27T02:17:52Z","timestamp":1793067472548,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"3-4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,1]],"date-time":"2025-11-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761955200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,1]],"date-time":"2025-11-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761955200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive intervention aimed at enhancing neuroplasticity and supporting motor recovery in stroke survivors. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of rTMS in enhancing upper limb motor function and independance in daily activities, utilizing key assessment tools such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A systematic review of 10 studies involving 382 participants was conducted. Outcomes were analyzed for mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using forest plots. Subgroup analyses examined the influence of stroke stage and session length. Evidence quality was assessed using the GRADE framework.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>rTMS significantly improved motor performance, with the FMA-UE showing the most consistent and clinically meaningful gains, where the overall standardized mean difference (SMD) was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.82 to 0.74, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.0001, I\u00b2\u2009=\u20090%), particularly during subacute and subacute-to-chronic stages. Furthermore, protocols with 15\u201320 sessions yielded significantly better outcomes (SMD\u2009=\u20091.50, 95% CI: 1.90 to 1.10, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.001) than shorter protocols. ARAT results were less consistent, indicating challenges in fine motor recovery, particularly in chronic stroke populations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This meta-analysis confirms that rTMS effectively enhances upper limb motor function and independence in post-stroke patients. Tailored protocols during subacute stages optimize recovery, though further research is needed to refine protocols and explore long-term outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/09226028251394303","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,2]],"date-time":"2025-12-02T19:54:52Z","timestamp":1764705292000},"page":"122-137","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Optimizing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Protocols for Upper Limb Motor Recovery in Post-Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"43","author":[{"given":"Huda","family":"Alhalabi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yitong","family":"Qiu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yixin","family":"Wei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yi","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Qiang","family":"Gao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_1","first-page":"679","article-title":"Systematic review of parameters and protocols in rTMS studies for post-stroke motor recovery","volume":"9","author":"Adeyemo B. 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