Table 2 Summary of meta-regression and subgroup analysis results of rTMS on lower limb function in stroke patients

(mean and 95% CI), P value

(I²)

None

-

35.00%

16

0.45 (0.25, 0.90)^a

Type

−0.04 (−0.37, 0.28), 0.780

-

-

-

 High rTMS

-

27.40%

8

0.41 (0.10, 0.73)^a

 Low rMTS

-

49.00%

7

0.57 (0.22, 0.92)^a

 iTBS

-

38.10%

3

0.25 (−0.17, 0.68)^a

Stimulation site

−0.19 (−0.43; 0.07), 0.151

-

-

-

 M1, Affected

-

0.00%

2

0.32 (0.02, 0.62)^a

 M1, Unaffected

-

66.30%

10

0.57 (0.24, 0.90)^a

 M1, Bilateral

-

46.40%

15

0.40 (0.05, 0.74)^a

 LDPC

-

-

1

−0.18 (−1.11, 0.75)

Pulses/session

0.08 (−0.37, 0.54), 0.702

-

-

-

 < 1000

-

14.90%

5

0.46 (0.09, 0.84)^a

 1000 to 1500

-

51.30%

9

0.42 (0.14, 0.69)^a

 ≥ 1500

-

9.10%

2

0.97 (0.02, 1.93)^aa

Total sessions

0.18 (−0.13, 0.49), 0.234

-

-

-

 5

-

0.00%

3

0.39 (−0.10, 0.87)

 6 to 10

-

3.70%

6

0.19 (−0.15, 0.52)

 ≥ 10

-

50.10%

7

0.61 (0.32, 0.90)^a

Resting motor threshold (%)

0.002 (−0.02, 0.02), 0.847

-

-

-

 80–100

-

40.90%

14

0.46 (0.23, 0.69)^a

 > 100

-

50.10%

2

0.46 (−0.22, 1.14)