Low-Frequency rTMS over Contralesional M1 Increases Ipsilesional Cortical Excitability and Motor Function with Decreased Interhemispheric Asymmetry in Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study

Figure 2

Motor task practice. Two motor tasks were involved: (a) A pegboard with five targets of the same size placed in a semicircle at arm’s length was used. Participants were asked to grasp one of the five cones placed in the middle near the edge of the table and then reach and place it on top of the specific target that fitted the size of the cone. The same task was repeated until all five cones were placed on their respective targets. Participants were then required to reach and grasp the cones one by one and place them back to the original position in the middle. These movement sequences were repeated until the 15-minute mark. (b) A pegboard with rectangular blocks was placed in front of the participants, who were then asked to take the block one by one out of the pegboard and then put on the table. After all the blocks were removed from the pegboard, the participants were required to put the block one by one back onto the pegboard. These movement sequences were repeated until the 15-minute mark (Figure 2). In both motor activities, participants were encouraged to perform the tasks as efficiently as possible, without dropping the object on the table.

(a)

(b)