• Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly improves limb motor function in stroke patients, including hand function, overall motor function, activities of daily living, and balance.
• The intervention did not show a significant effect on reducing upper limb muscle spasticity as measured by the modified Ashworth scale.
• The meta-analysis included 8 high-quality randomized controlled trials with 502 patients, providing robust evidence for the efficacy of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in motor recovery.
• Future research should focus on optimizing stimulation parameters, distinguishing stroke types, and conducting longer-term follow-up to confirm these findings.