Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy Neuromuscular and Neurosurgery

Background: Visouspatial neglect is a debilitating, attentional disorder that affects approximately 40{u2013}81% of patients after stroke. It interferes with the rehabilitative process and is associated with a poor functional outcome.The aim of this study was to assess the influence of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on visuospatial neglect in patients with acute stroke. Methods: Thirty ischemic stroke patients from both sexes represented the sample of the study. Their age ranged from 45 to 65 years. The patients were assigned into two equal groups of fifteen patients each; control group (GI) and study group (GII).Both groups were matched in age ,sex and mean values of all variables. The control group treated by a designed physical therapy program and the study group treated by the same program in addition to low frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation over the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). The treatment was conducted three times per week, for two weeks. Line bisection, Bell cancellation and Clock drawing tests were used for assessment of visuospatial neglect. Barthel index was used for assessment of functional activities pre and post treatment for both groups. The results: A significant improvement in scores of Line bisection and Bell cancellation tests in both groups with more favorable effect in GII (p<0.05) and a significant improvement in scores of Clock drawing test and Barthel index scale in both groups with a non-significant difference between them. Conclusion: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a positive effect in improving visuospatial neglect in patients with stroke

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