Individualized rTMS Synchronized Task Training for Closed-loop Neuromodulation of Post-stroke Motor Dysfunction

The individualized online stimulation group will calculate precise targets based on the collected multimodal MRI (structural images, resting-state/task-state functional images, and diffusion tensor imaging), plan the coil position and placement angle of TMS through electric field simulation, and achieve individualized intervention. At the same time, when patients receive TMS treatment, they are matched with specific upper limb motor tasks. When the task starts autonomously, TMS stimulation is triggered by acceleration-EMG feedback. When the task stops or is completed, TMS stimulation also stops immediately according to the acceleration-EMG feedback to achieve real-time effects.

In the non-individualized online stimulation group, patients receive TMS treatment synchronized with task training. However, the targeting uses traditional positioning methods, i.e., determining the target with a positioning cap instead of precise target localization.

In the individualized online sham stimulation group, patients receive TMS treatment combined with specific tasks. The stimulation targets are the same as those in the online stimulation group, all determined by precise target localization, except that a sham stimulation coil is used for TMS stimulation.