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01-07-2011 | Original Communication

Transcranial magnetic stimulation primes the effects of exercise therapy in multiple sclerosis

Authors: Francesco Mori, Concetta Ljoka, Elisabetta Magni, Claudia Codecà, Hajime Kusayanagi, Fabrizia Monteleone, Andrea Sancesario, Giorgio Bernardi, Giacomo Koch, Calogero Foti, Diego Centonze

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 7/2011

Abstract

Exercise therapy (ET) can be beneficial in disabled multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Intermittent transcranial magnetic theta burst stimulation (iTBS) induces long-term excitability changes of the cerebral cortex and may ameliorate spasticity in MS. We investigated whether the combination of iTBS and a program of ET can improve motor disability in MS patients. In a double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 30 participants were randomized to three different interventions: iTBS plus ET, sham stimulation plus ET, and iTBS alone. Before and after 2 weeks of treatment, measures of spasticity through the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the 88 items Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Score questionnaire (MSSS-88), fatigue through the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), daily living activities (ADL) through the Barthel index and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through the 54 items Multiple Sclerosis Quality of life inventory (MSQoL-54) were collected. iTBS plus ET reduced MAS, MSSS-88, FSS scores, while in the Barthel index and MSQoL-54, physical composite scores were increased. iTBS alone caused a reduction of the MAS score, while none of the measured scales showed significant changes after sham iTBS plus ET. iTBS associated with ET is a promising tool for motor rehabilitation of MS patients.

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Title: Transcranial magnetic stimulation primes the effects of exercise therapy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Francesco Mori
Concetta Ljoka
Elisabetta Magni
Claudia Codecà
Hajime Kusayanagi
Fabrizia Monteleone
Andrea Sancesario
Giorgio Bernardi
Giacomo Koch
Calogero Foti
Diego Centonze
Publication date: 01-07-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 7/2011
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-011-5924-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Transcranial magnetic stimulation primes the effects of exercise therapy in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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