Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Recovery of Upper Limb Among Stroke Survivors

Exclusion Criteria

• •More than one stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack not a reason for exclusion) Neurological conditions other than stroke (brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, etc)
• •History of epilepsy or unprovoked seizures
• •Family history of epilepsy (father, mother, children, siblings with diagnosis of epilepsy)
• •Implanted medical devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, medical pump, implanted brain stimulator, aneurysm clip, carotid or cerebral stents, central venous catheter, cochlear implant, internal hearing aids)
• •Damaged skin or skull of head
• •Excessive spasticity of upper limb as indicated by Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale \>2/4
• •Recent injection of antispastic medications (Botulinum toxin, phenol) of the last 3 months or scheduled such injection during the study period
• •Severe sensory deficits as measured by a score of 2 on item 8 of the National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale
• •Severe aphasia as measured by a score of ≥2 on item 9 of NIH stroke scale
• •Being determined to be medically unstable by a physician
• •Being pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• •Past or current alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, or significant mental illness (schizophrenia, major depression, manic disorders)
• •Working with metal currently or in the past
• •Tattoo with metal based ink on the head or neck
• •Unable to answer the questionnaires in the consent form correctly