Table 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Criteria	Description
Inclusion criteria	➤ First-ever stroke ➤ Subcortical stroke diagnosed by head CT or MRI ➤ Clear consciousness and stable vital signs ➤ 18–80 years old ➤ 3–12 months since stroke onset ➤ Unilateral hemiplegia, Brunnstrom stage of affected hand ≤ IV ➤ Right-handed
Exclusion criteria	➤ Severe speech, attention, hearing, vision, sensation, intelligence, mental, or cognitive impairments (MMSE score < 27) ➤ Severe spasticity (Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale > 2) or pain (Ten-point Visual Analog Scale > 4) of the affected side ➤ Bone, joint, and muscle diseases, other serious nervous system diseases, malignant tumors, and serious heart, lung, liver, and kidney damage ➤ Still enrolled in any rehabilitation or drug studies ➤ Metal implant, magnetic sheet, or cardiac pacemaker ➤ Alcohol or drug addiction ➤ Epilepsy