MAGNETIC BRAIN STIMULATION EFFICACY IN SPINAL CORD INJURED PATIENTS
Repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to alter cortical inhibition in
stable incomplete spinal cord injury and improve the clinical and functional
outcome (M Belci et al. Magnetic brain stimulation can
improve clinical outcome in incomplete spinal cord injured patients. Spinal Cord 42, 417-419, 2004). Four stable incomplete
spinal cord injury patients were treated with rTMS over the occipital cortex
(sham treatment) and then over the motor cortex (real treatment). Patients were
assessed using electrophysiological, clinical and functional measures before
treatment, during sham treatment, during the therapeutic
treatment and during a 3-week follow-up period.
Cortical
inhibition was reduced during the treatment week. Perceptual threshold to
electrical stimulation of the skin, ASIA clinical measures of motor and sensory
function and time to complete a peg-board improved and remained improved into
the follow-up period.
BM&L-July 2004