Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation technique combined with donepezil in treating cognitive impairment after cerebral infarction

Objective To investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)technique combined with donepezil in treating patients with cognitive impairment after cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 100 patients with cognitive dysfunction after cerebral infarction were divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method, with 50 cases in each group. Donepezil was used in the control group, and low frequency rTMS combined with donepezil was used in the observation group. The clinical efficacy and occurrence of adverse reactions of the two groups were compared. Cognitive function indicators［Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)score and Concise Mental State Checklist(MMSE)score］were compared between the two groups before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Results The total effective rate was 94.00% in the observation group, which was significantly higher than 72.00% in the control group(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in MoCA and MMSE scores pre-treatment between the two groups(P>0.05). The MoCA and MMSE scores were higher in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment than before treatment, and were significantly higher in the observation group than those of the control group(P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference in the incidence of total adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion rTMS combined with donepezil can effectively improve cognitive function and promote recovery of cognitive function of patients with cognitive dysfunction after cerebral infarction so combined application has better efficacy.