| Objective:To observe the effects of constraint induced language therapy(CILT) combined with low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on language functions and communication skills of non-fluent aphasia patients.Methods:Forty patients were randomly assigned to four groups accepting conventional therapy(conventional group),conventional therapy+CILT(CILT group),conventional therapy+1 Hz rTMS(rTMS group),and conventional therapy+CILT+1 Hz rTMS(combined group) for 10 days,respectively.Before and after therapy,the language functions were evaluated with the first 4 items of Western Aphasia Battery(WAB),and the Communicative Abilities in Daily Living (CADL) test was adopted to assess the patients' communication skills.Results:After treatment for 10 days,WAB and CADL scores in combined group increased significantly(P<0.05),which is higher than that in pre-therapy,CILT group and conventional group. More progress on WAB scores including spontaneous speech, listening comprehension and naming and CADL scores in combined group were observed comparing to rTMS group(P<0.05).While,no obviously statistical differences was found between combined group and rTMS group on WAB score of repetition.WAB scores and CADL scores obtained in rTMS group were increased more significantly than in conventional group.The progress was achieved only on WAB score in conventional group(P<0.05).However,no change was observed on CADL scores in conventional group.Conclusion:For non-fluent aphasia,CILT and low frequency rTMS were more effective than conventional therapy,and the combination of CILT and low frequency rTMS could obtain more satisfactory effectiveness. |
