Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Five-Session Dual-Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation With Task-Specific Training Does Not Improve Gait and Lower Limb Performance Over Training Alone in Subacute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
To determine the effect of five-session dual-transcranial direct current stimulation (dual-tDCS) combined with task-specific training on gait and lower limb motor performance in individuals with subacute stroke. ⋯ The combined intervention showed no benefit over training alone in improving gait variables and lower-limb performance. However, some performances were saturated at some point, as moderate to high function participants were recruited in the present study. Future studies should consider recruiting participants with more varied motor impairment levels and may need to determine the optimal stimulation protocols and parameters to improve gait and lower-limb performance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Heart Rate Variability Features as Predictors of Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation Response in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with autonomic dysfunction as indicated by deficits in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. These abnormalities are expressed as elevated heart rate and reduced heart rate variability (HRV), respectively. Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, has demonstrated effectiveness in PTSD. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether HRV may be an iTBS biomarker for PTSD and whether iTBS impacts autonomic activity. ⋯ Our findings indicate that autonomic activity is a potential low-cost and technically simple predictive biomarker of iTBS response in PTSD. Less autonomic dysfunction was associated with superior clinical improvements with iTBS. Future studies might consider HRV acquisition during iTBS, as well as prospective testing of these findings in patients with elevated hyperarousal.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Fibromyalgia Patients Responding to a First Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Induction Course After Six Months of Maintenance Treatment: A Randomized Pilot-Controlled Study.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic painful condition without real, effective treatment. The administration of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on pain, but there are still questions about the maintenance of its effect over time. Continuation of the treatment upon clinical response through maintenance sessions is promising and merits further exploration. ⋯ A three-week rTMS treatment, characterized by a reduction in pain, as evaluated by VAS, should be continued with the administration of rTMS maintenance sessions for an additional six months to maintain the best possible long-term effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combining Trauma Script Exposure With rTMS to Reduce Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Innovative therapeutic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are required. We opted to facilitate fear extinction by combining trauma script exposure with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to reduce symptoms of PTSD. ⋯ We found no evidence of difference in clinical improvement or remission rates between the 110% HF and 70% LF stimulation. These findings may reflect the importance of exposure procedure and that larger number of participants is needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Electric Field Strength From Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Determines Degree of Working Memory Response: A Potential Application of Reverse-Calculation Modeling?
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for working memory is an enticing treatment, but there is mixed evidence to date. ⋯ Higher electric fields at the left DLPFC from uniform 2 mA doses appear to drive working memory improvements from tDCS. Individualized doses from reverse-calculation modeling significantly reduce electric field variance at the cortex. Taken together, using reverse-calculation modeling to produce the same, high electric fields at the cortex across participants may produce more effective future tDCS treatments for working memory.