Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one of the emerging techniques which assist in targeting rehabilitation after stroke. Using of it has progressed dramatically over the last decade with two emerging and potentially useful functions identified. Firstly, it’s used as a tool for predicting recovery of motor function after stroke, and secondly, as a adjunct treatment aimed at modifying the excitability of the motor cortex in preparation for rehabilitation. In stroke patients, much of spontaneous recovery occurred after the acute phase due to plastic alterations in the brain. The task for rehabilitation is to discover new ways which may promote and improve the brain plasticity , so that the recovery happen more quickly and more effectively. Since much of good recovery depends on lesioned hemisphere plasticity , one of therapeutic approach is to attempt to progress this plasticity by brain stimulation. Conventional rTMS modalities include high-frequency (HF-rTMS) stimulation (> one Hz) and low-frequency (LF-rTMS) stimulation (⩽ one Hz). High-frequency stimulation typically enhances motor cortex excitability of the stimulated area, whereas low-frequency stimulation usually gives a reduction in excitability. The mechanisms by which rTMS modulates the brain are rather complex, although they seem to be related to the phenomena of long-term potentiation and long-term depression.