Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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To review the use of noninvasive brain stimulation (NBS) as a therapeutic tool to enhance neuroplasticity following traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Evidence from animal and human studies reveals the potential benefit of NBS in decreasing the extent of injury and enhancing plastic changes to facilitate learning and recovery of function in lesioned neural tissue. However, this evidence is mainly theoretical at this point. Given safety constraints, studies in TBI patients are necessary to address the role of NBS in this condition as well as to further elucidate its therapeutic effects and define optimal stimulation parameters.
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established method for treatment of chronic pain. Cylindrical-type leads can be implanted percutaneously. In contrast, paddle leads (lamitrode) require more invasive surgery (i.e., laminotomy or laminectomy) for placement into the epidural space, thereby offering several advantages over percutaneous leads (octrode), including less lead migration and better paresthesia coverage. The goal of this study was to prospectively demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a percutaneous paddle lead for SCS. ⋯ This new, minimally invasive percutaneous paddle lead is effective and safe, with a low migration rate. Placement can be done under local anesthesia, allowing an intraoperative assessment of the paresthesia coverage in terms of pain relief. This approach is less invasive and offers a faster and more comfortable procedure compared with laminotomy or laminectomy.
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This is a retrospective case series of five patients with intractable trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) who were implanted with a supraorbital/supratrochlear neuromodulation system. ⋯ Supraorbital/supratrochlear nerve stimulation appears to be a promising modality for the treatment of patients with intractable TAC.
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Determine if ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1) in stroke patients processes online visuomotor discordance in gain between finger movement and observed feedback in virtual reality (VR). ⋯ Visuomotor discordance may be used to alter movement performance and augment M1 excitability in patients following stroke. Our data illustrate that visual feedback may be a robust way to selectively modulate M1 activity. These data may have important clinical implications for the development of future VR training protocols.
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Occipital nerve stimulation can be effective therapy for recalcitrant headache disorders. Lead migration remains the primary technical adverse event associated with this therapy. Revision surgery for occipital nerve stimulator leads sometimes requires exposure of all components including internal pulse generator, extension cables, connectors, and leads with multiple incisions. However, minimizing the invasiveness of revision surgery reduces the time, infection risk, and discomfort associated with the procedure. We describe two techniques that attempt to minimize the extent of revision surgery necessary for lead migration. ⋯ When migration occurs, the techniques described can simplify lead revision while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure.