High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for stroke patients lower extremity function: primary motor cortex versus cerebellar stimulation. A randomized controlled trial.

The intervention lasted only two weeks, so it does not show whether gains persist or whether one stimulation site is better over time. All patients received conventional medication and conventional rehabilitation, so the contribution of rTMS alone cannot be separated. The blinding description is unclear: the paper says the therapist performing the magnetic maneuver was unaware of group, but also says the therapist stimulated different brain areas according to group. Four patients dropped out early, two from sham and two from cerebellar stimulation. The paper's prose and table report different between-group results for movement track length, so that secondary balance sway finding is unclear. The authors did not test the mechanism, so their explanations for cerebellar effects are not demonstrated by this trial.

The authors state there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed.

Do not read the Discussion's claim that cerebellar stimulation is superior to motor cortex stimulation for balance as established. The Berg Balance Scale showed no significant difference between the two active groups; only a sway-length measure differed.