Brain Stimul
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Targeting chronic recurrent low back pain from the top-down and the bottom-up: a combined transcranial direct current stimulation and peripheral electrical stimulation intervention.
Mechanisms such as neural sensitization and maladaptive cortical organization provide novel targets for therapy in chronic recurrent low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ Our data suggest a combined tDCS/PES intervention more effectively improves CLBP symptoms and mechanisms of cortical organization and sensitization, than either intervention applied alone or a sham control.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Variability in response to transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex.
Responses to a number of different plasticity-inducing brain stimulation protocols are highly variable. However there is little data available on the variability of response to transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS). ⋯ The large variability in response to these TDCS protocols is in line with similar studies using other forms of non-invasive brain stimulation. The effects highlight the need to develop more robust protocols, and understand the individual factors that determine responsiveness.
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Deep brain stimulation has become a routine therapy for movement disorders, but it is relatively invasive and costly. Although stimulation intensity relates to battery longevity, less is known about how diagnosis and stimulation target contribute to this clinical outcome. Here we evaluate battery longevity in movement disorders patients who were treated at a tertiary referral center. ⋯ Pallidal DBS for dystonia was associated with shorter battery longevity and more frequent stimulator adjustments versus DBS for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. Characteristics of the stimulation target and disease pathophysiology both likely contribute to battery longevity in patients with movement disorders.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation increases cerebral vasomotor reactivity: a possible autonomic nervous system modulation.
Neuromodulation techniques, i.e. repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can modify cerebral hemodynamics. High frequency rTMS appeared to decrease cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR), while there is still poor evidence about the effect of low frequency (LF) rTMS on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and VMR. ⋯ 1-Hz rTMS may induce a bilateral long-lasting increase of VMR, while its effect on MFV is short-lasting. Moreover, HRV changes induced by rTMS suggest a possible autonomic nervous system modulation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Concurrent cognitive control training augments the antidepressant efficacy of tDCS: a pilot study.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is frequently associated with underactivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) which has led to this brain region being identified as an important target for the development of neurobiological treatments. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to the DLPFC has antidepressant efficacy, however the magnitude of antidepressant outcomes are limited. Concurrent cognitive activity has been shown to enhance tDCS induced stimulation effects. Cognitive control training (CCT) is a new cognitive therapy for MDD that aims to enhance DLPFC activity via behavioral methods. ⋯ The results provide preliminary evidence that concurrent CCT enhances antidepressant outcomes from tDCS. In the current sample, participants receiving concurrent tDCS and CCT continued to improve following cessation of treatment. The clinical superiority of a combined therapeutic approach was apparent even in a small sample and following a relatively short treatment course.