Effective connectivity within the cortical motor system predicts behavioural response to theta-burst stimulation in stroke patients

Introduction: Previous studies showed that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, especially theta-burst stimulation (TBS), may enhance neural plasticity. This renders TBS an interesting therapeutic tool for treatment of stroke-induced motor deficits. Improvements have been demonstrated but effects remain highly variable across individuals and some patients may even show deterioration of motor performance. Hence, we aimed to identify predictors for the behavioural response to TBS, which appears essential for its implementation in neurorehabilitation. Methods: 13 chronic stroke patients with motor hand def…