Available online 12 January 2013
Publication year: 2013
Source:World Neurosurgery
Objective to review the basic principles and techniques of transcranial magnetic stimulation and provide information and evidence regarding its applications in spinal cord injury clinical rehabilitation. Methods A review of the available current and historical literature regarding transcranial magnetic stimulation and a discussion of its potential use in spinal cord injury rehab was conducted. Results TMS provides reliable information about the functional integrity and conduction properties of the corticospinal tracts and motor control in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of various neurological disorders. It allows one to follow the evolution of motor control and to evaluate the effects of different therapeutic procedures. MEPs can be useful in follow-up evaluation of motor function during treatment and rehabilitation, specifically in spinal cord injury and stroke patients. While studies regarding somatomotor functional recovery after spinal cord injury have shown promise, it will require further trials to provide strong and substantial evidence. Conclusions TMS is a promising non-invasive tool for the treatment of spasticity, neuropathic pain and somatomotor deficit following SCI. Further investigation is needed to demonstrate whether different protocols and applications of stimulation, as well as alternative cortical sites of stimulation may induce more pronounced and beneficial clinical effects.
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