Objective To explore the efficacy of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with virtual reality interactive robot training in improving upper limb function of patients with stroke.

Methods From February to December 2023, 92 patients in the hospital were randomly divided into control group (n=30), virtual reality group (n=31), and combined group (n=31). The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy; the virtual reality group received conventional rehabilitation therapy and virtual reality interactive robot training for upper limb; the combined group received low-frequency rTMS on the therapeutic basis of the virtual reality group. Before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UFMA) score, the Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity-Hong Kong Version (FTHUE-HK) score, motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, cortical latency (CL) value, and the ratio of root mean square of myoelectricity (RMS) of wrist dorsiflexor muscles between the affected and unaffected sides were compared among the three groups.

Results Four weeks after treatment, the UFMA and FTHUE-HK scores of the three groups significantly improved compared with those before treatment, the UFMA and FTHUE-HK scores of the combined group were significantly higher than those of the control group and the virtual reality group, and the UFMA score of the virtual reality group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05); the RMS ratios and MEP amplitudes of the three groups significantly increased compared with those before treatment, the RMS ratios and MEP amplitudes of the combined group were significantly higher than those of the control group and the virtual reality group, and the virtual reality group had higher values than the control group, with significant between-group differences (P < 0.05); the CL of the three groups significantly shortened compared with that before treatment, the CL of the combined group was significantly shorter than that of the control group and the virtual reality group, and the CL of the virtual reality group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The rTMS assisted virtual reality interactive robot training can effectively improve upper limb function in stroke patients.