Effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on normal or impaired motor control. A review

Abstract

Introduction: Repetitive magnetic stimulation at the periphery (rPMS), i.e. over spinal roots, nerves or muscles, represents a new painless and noninvasive approach that can contribute to motor recovery. This method is based on the assumption that, under rPMS, neural networks involved in motor control would be regulated by the large recruitment of proprioceptive afferents, with little activation of cutaneous receptors.

Study aim: This literature review dealing with rPMS after-effects on motor control aimed at better understanding the outcome measures and further discussing some possible involved mechanisms.

Results: Our literature search resulted in 13 studies that used different types of outcomes (neurophysiological, biomechanical, clinical) to test the influence of rPMS over spinal roots or muscles in healthy individuals and in persons with stroke or spinal disorders. Dynamic changes were reported post-rPMS, such as spasticity reduction and improvements of movement dynamics. Studies also brought about some interesting insights on the cortical plasticity associated with rPMS effects, such as the activation of fronto-parietal loops that may explain the post-rPMS improvement of motor planning.

Conclusions: Due to the heterogeneous and scant literature on the topic, no conclusion can be drawn to date. However, the results encourage the concurrent testing of clinical, neurophysiological and biomechanical outcomes to investigate more precisely the relevance of rPMS in neurological rehabilitation.

Keywords: Afférences sensorielles; Désordres moteurs; Motor impairment; Plasticity; Plasticité; Rehabilitation; Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation; Review; Revue; Réadaptation; Sensory afferents; Stimulation magnétique périphérique répétitive.