Nine normal subjects and fourteen hemiparetic patients were studied using transcranial magnetic stimulation and somatosensory evoked potential.

The stroke location, degree of recovery in terms of muscle power and Modified Barthel Index score, which represent the functional status of a stroke patient, assessed at the tine of evoked potential testing within 2 months after stroke onset and again of follow-up 2 months later were compared with the evoked potentials elicited.

Motor response was better(p<0.05) than somatosensory response, at predicting an outcome in terms of functional recovery. The central motor conduction times in the examined muscles facilitated by contraction of the contralateral corresponding muscles were significantly increased on the involved side. While absence of response and normal response were seen after both cortical and subcortical lesions, delayed central motor conduction time only were seen in cases of subcortical lesions, which may be indicative of subcortical lesions following stroke(p<0.05).

There were no signigicant relationship between evoked potential response and degree of recovery in muscle power. There were no untoward side effects.