Effects of cortical intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with precise root stimulation on motor function after spinal cord injury: a case series study

This study investigates a new approach to improve motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). It combines stimulating the brain (cortical intermittent theta burst stimulation or iTBS) with stimulating specific nerve roots in the spinal cord using magnetic pulses. Researchers applied this combined stimulation to 14 patients with chronic SCI for 4 weeks. They measured changes in nerve signals, muscle strength, balance, and walking speed. The results showed improvements in nerve conduction, lower limb strength, balance, and walking speed after the treatment. This suggests the combined approach may help recovery after SCI.

• 1
  Bilateral resting motor evoked potential amplitude was increased after treatment, indicating improved nerve signal strength.
• 2
  Central motor conduction time on the side receiving cortical stimulation was significantly decreased, suggesting faster nerve conduction.
• 3
  Lower extremity motor score, Berg balance score, spinal cord independence measure-III score, and 10 m-walking speed were all increased after treatment, demonstrating improved motor function.