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Review
. 2024 Sep 4:18:1341707.
doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1341707. eCollection 2024.

Is non-invasive neuromodulation a viable technique to improve neuroplasticity in individuals with acquired brain injury? A review

Michelle Eliason  1 , Prajakta Premchand Kalbande  1 , Ghazala T Saleem  1
Affiliations
Review

Is non-invasive neuromodulation a viable technique to improve neuroplasticity in individuals with acquired brain injury? A review

Michelle Eliason et al. Front Hum Neurosci. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore and evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) as a standalone or coupled intervention and understand its mechanisms to produce positive alterations in neuroplasticity and behavioral outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI).

Data sources: Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched from January 2013 to January 2024.

Study selection: Using the PICO framework, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) randomized controlled trials (RCTs), retrospective, pilot, open-label, and observational large group and single-participant case studies were included. Two authors reviewed articles according to pre-established inclusion criteria.

Data extraction: Data related to participant and intervention characteristics, mechanisms of change, methods, and outcomes were extracted by two authors. The two authors performed quality assessments using SORT.

Results: Twenty-two studies involving 657 participants diagnosed with ABIs were included. Two studies reported that NIBS was ineffective in producing positive alterations or behavioral outcomes. Twenty studies reported at least one, or a combination of, positively altered neuroplasticity and improved neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, motor, or somatic symptoms. Twenty-eight current articles between 2020 and 2024 have been studied to elucidate potential mechanisms of change related to NIBS and other mediating or confounding variables.

Discussion: tDCS and TMS may be efficacious as standalone interventions or coupled with neurorehabilitation therapies to positively alter maladaptive brain physiology and improve behavioral symptomology resulting from ABI. Based on postintervention and follow-up results, evidence suggests NIBS may offer a direct or mediatory contribution to improving behavioral outcomes post-ABI.

Conclusion: More research is needed to better understand the extent of rTMS and tDCS application in affecting changes in symptoms after ABI.

Keywords: brain injuries; cerebral stroke; neurological rehabilitation; transcranial electrical stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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