Effects of paired associated stimulation with different stimulation position on motor cortex excitability and upper limb motor function in patients with cerebral infarction

•To investigate the effects of paired associated stimulation (PAS) with different stimulation position on motor cortex excitability and upper limb motor function in patients with cerebral infarction.•The excitability of the motor cortex can be changed when the contralateral side or the ipsilateral side was given the corresponding PAS stimulation, while the bilateral PAS stimulation can more easily cause a change of excitability of the motor cortex, resulting in better recovery of the upper limb function.