Improvement of hand dexterity following motor cortex rTMS in multiple sclerosis patients with cerebellar impairment

Mult Scler. 2008 Aug;14(7):995-8. doi: 10.1177/1352458508088710. Epub 2008 Jun 23.

Abstract

We tested the effects of 5-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the motor cortex in multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects with cerebellar symptoms. rTMS improved hand dexterity in cerebellar patients (n=8) but not in healthy subjects (n=7), as detected by a significant transient reduction of the time required to complete the nine-hole pegboard task. rTMS of the motor cortex may be a useful approach to treat cerebellar impairment in MS patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / physiopathology
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / therapy*
  • Cerebellum / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hand / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Movement / physiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / physiopathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / therapy*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*