Therapeutic applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in movement disorders: A review

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 695 - 707
• Main Authors: Kamble, Nitish, Netravathi, M, Pal, Pramod Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Cortical excitability; Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology; Humans; Intracortical facilitation; Intracortical inhibition; Motor Cortex - physiology; Motor evoked potential; Movement Disorders - diagnosis; Movement Disorders - physiopathology; Movement Disorders - therapy; Neurology; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - methods; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Silent period; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - methods; Cortical excitability; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Motor evoked potential; Silent period; Intracortical facilitation; Intracortical inhibition
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.03.018

Abstract Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is emerging as a valuable adjunctive therapeutic modality in movement disorders. It is a non-invasive technique of repeated stimulation of the cerebral cortex by a train of magnetic pulses. The therapeutic effect of rTMS was first noted in depression. Later several researchers have investigated the role of rTMS in various movement disorders, notably Parkinson's disease, dystonia, Tourette's syndrome etc. The rTMS protocols used in these studies vary widely, lacks uniformity and often the results are not consistent. The optimal rTMS parameters for each disorder are yet to be established. This review discusses the current knowledge on the therapeutic applications of rTMS in various movement disorders.