Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Post-stroke Dysphagia: A Meta-analysis of Stimulation Frequency, Stimulation Site, and Timing of Outcome Measurement

Dysphagia is one of the most frequent sequelae of stroke. It can result in various complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and poor rehabilitation outcomes. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to improve dysphagia after a stroke; however, effective treatment protocols have not been established yet. We evaluated the effect of the following rTMS parameters on post-stroke dysphagia: stimulation frequency [high frequency (≥ 3 Hz) or low frequency (1 Hz)] and stimulation site (ipsilesional or contralesional mylohyoid cortex). Outcomes were measured immediately, at 3 weeks, and at 4 weeks after the rTMS session. The PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January 01, 1980, and December 13, 2021. Randomized controlled trials on the effects of rTMS on post-stroke dysphagia were included. Six studies were finally included in the analysis. The selected studies included 158 patients (rTMS group: 81 patients; sham group: 77 patients). Regarding the effect of high-frequency rTMS on the ipsilesional cortex, the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores showed significant improvement after rTMS sessions immediately and at 4 weeks [immediate: P = 0.02, standard mean difference (SMD) =  − 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) =  − 1.14 to − 0.08; 4 weeks: P = 0.006, SMD =  − 0.74, 95% CI =  − 1.27 to − 0.21]; however, there was no significant reduction in the Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores between the rTMS and sham groups (immediate: P = 0.43, SMD = 0.25, 95% CI =  − 0.36, 0.86; 3 weeks: P = 0.39, SMD = 0.37, 95% CI =  − 0.47 to 1.22). After low-frequency rTMS on the ipsilesional cortex, a significantly greater improvement in the SSA scores was found in the rTMS group than in the sham group, both immediately and at 4 weeks after rTMS sessions (immediate: P = 0.03, SMD =  − 0.59, 95% CI =  − 1.12 to − 0.06; 4 weeks: P = 0.001, SMD =  − 0.92, 95% CI =  − 1.48 to − 0.37). In addition, immediately after the rTMS sessions, the PAS scores were significantly reduced in the rTMS group than in the sham group (P = 0.047, SMD =  − 0.60, 95% CI =  − 1.19 to − 0.01). However, at 4 weeks after rTMS sessions, there was no significant reduction in the PAS scores in the rTMS group compared to the sham group (P = 0.48, SMD =  − 0.19, 95% CI =  − 0.71 to 0.33). Both high-frequency rTMS of the ipsilesional cortex and low-frequency rTMS of the contralesional cortex improved some measurements of the swallowing function in stroke patients immediately and at 4 weeks after treatment.