Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-022-01049-9 · Published: July 6, 2022
This study investigates the use of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a type of brain stimulation, to improve the connection between the brain and biceps muscle in people with tetraplegia (spinal cord injury affecting all four limbs). The researchers compared the effects of iTBS on muscle excitability in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and those without. They measured muscle responses before and after iTBS. The study found that iTBS increased muscle excitability in individuals with SCI, but not in those without SCI. This suggests iTBS may be a useful tool to enhance rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with tetraplegia.
iTBS may be a useful adjunct to physical therapy for motor rehabilitation in individuals with tetraplegia by increasing corticomotor excitability of the biceps brachii.
Corticomotor conductance potential may serve as a predictive measure to identify individuals who are more likely to respond positively to iTBS therapy.
Further research is needed to understand how muscle target and injury level influence the effects of iTBS, allowing for more targeted and effective therapeutic interventions.