Problems of Balneology Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy · Oct 15, 2026

Transcranial magnetic stimulation corrects stress-associated cardiovascular risk factors and early age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels

By Obrezan AA, Обрезан АГ, Николаевич ПГ et al.

Introduction: Early manifestation of cardiovascular aging in working-age men and the need to assess non-pharmacological neuromodulatory approaches to its correction make it relevant. Objective: to determine the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on stress-associated factors of cardiovascular risk and markers of early age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 24 patients with age-associated cardiovascular pathology (stage I hypertension, atherosclerosis of the arterial walls) in the design of a prospective randomized controlled trial. The patients in the observation group received a course of transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain (TMS), which was compared with the control group. The following cardiovascular risk factors were assessed: anxiety levels according to the Spielberger— Khanin scale, the results of the Self-Assessment-Activity-Mood (SAM) questionnaire, photoplethysmographic indices of vascular elasticity (SI, ALP75, RI, AGI), vascular age (VA), the distribution of pulse wave types (A/B/C), and the E/A ratio as an indicator of left ventricular diastolic function. Results: TMS significantly improved psychophysical status (reduction in personal and situational anxiety, increase in integral indicators of SAN) and vascular profile: reduction in vascular age (VA), reduction in the proportions of waves A and B with an increase in wave C, as well as improvement in diastolic function (E/A). Conclusion: The obtained results are consistent with the concept of the “brain–heart” axis and indicate the potential of TMS as a component of personalized preventive and rehabilitation programs for early manifestations of cardiovascular pathology. The duration and reproducibility of the effects require further research.

doi.org/10.21320/2309-1355-2026-103-3-39-46 Open access Interventions