Reliability of TMS motor evoked potentials in quadriceps of subjects with chronic hemiparesis after stroke

J Neurol Sci. 2009 Jan 15;276(1-2):115-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.09.012. Epub 2008 Oct 22.

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) non-invasively measures excitability of central motor pathways in humans and is used to characterize neuroplasticity after stroke. Using TMS to index lower extremity neuroplasticity after gait rehabilitation requires test-retest reliability. This study assesses the reliability of TMS-derived variables measured at bilateral quadriceps of chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors. Results support using measures of both paretic and nonparetic motor threshold, motor evoked potential (MEP) latencies; and nonparetic MEP amplitudes. Implications for longitudinal research are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology
  • Female
  • Gait / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Paresis / pathology*
  • Paresis / rehabilitation
  • Quadriceps Muscle / physiopathology*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stroke / complications
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*