Impact of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on Spontaneous Neural Activity in Patients with Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Protocol for a Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of fALFF Research - Report - MDSpire

Impact of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on Spontaneous Neural Activity in Patients with Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Protocol for a Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of fALFF Research

  • By

  • Yao Rao

  • Jingjing Zhang

  • Jiawei Ni

  • Ming Zeng

  • Jiali Wu

  • Hui Xu

  • Zhiwei Zhao

  • Cong Wang

  • Chunlei Shan

  • April 22, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Impact of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation on Neural Activity in PSA

Overview

This protocol outlines a coordinate-based meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on spontaneous neural activity in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA). The study aims to synthesize resting-state fMRI data to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying language recovery following NIBS treatment.

Background

Post-stroke aphasia (PSA) affects approximately one-third of stroke survivors, significantly impairing communication and quality of life. Traditional speech language therapy (SLT) often shows variable efficacy, highlighting the need for adjunctive therapies that can directly modulate brain function. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, such as rTMS and tDCS, have emerged as potential methods to enhance language recovery in PSA patients.

Data Highlights

This study will conduct a systematic review of existing literature on NIBS and fALFF in PSA, focusing on studies that report whole-brain voxel-wise fALFF data.

Key Findings

  • The study will evaluate the effects of NIBS on intrinsic neural activity in PSA patients.
  • It aims to synthesize findings from multiple neuroimaging studies using rs-fMRI data.
  • Only studies reporting stereotactic peak coordinates will be included in the quantitative analysis.
  • Neuroimaging reporting quality will be assessed with a customized checklist.
  • The meta-analysis will adhere to PRISMA guidelines to ensure rigorous reporting.

Clinical Implications

The findings from this meta-analysis may provide insights into the effectiveness of NIBS as an adjunctive treatment for PSA, potentially guiding clinical practice in rehabilitation settings. Understanding the modulation of intrinsic neural activity could inform future therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing language recovery.

Conclusion

This protocol sets the stage for a comprehensive meta-analysis that could clarify the role of NIBS in modulating neural activity in PSA patients, contributing to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies.

References

  1. Brady et al., European Stroke Organisation, 2025 -- European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on aphasia rehabilitation
  2. Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic therapy for post-stroke aphasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Frontiers in Neurology, 2025
  3. Brain — Adaptive Changes in Task-Related Network Interactions During Recovery from Post-Stroke Aphasia
  4. Prehabilitation of Motor Networks Using Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Conceptual Study
  5. Brain — Enhancing Recovery from Hemianopia: The Role of Interareal Cross-Frequency Brain Stimulation
  6. Selective transient aphasia induced by electrical stimulation of the left superior temporal gyrus in highly skilled bilingual individuals
  7. European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on aphasia rehabilitation
  8. Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic therapy for post-stroke aphasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  9. The Neurologist

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